Ajla Tomljanovic firms for French Open return as Sam Stosur defends depth

Australia’s top-ranked woman is on track to return for the French Open as a former great defends the current crop of players.

Top-ranked Australian Ajla Tomljanovic is expected to return from injury at next week’s French Open as a former tennis great says the lack of Aussie women in the main draw is only a “cyclical” problem.

The world No.46 is racing to recover from knee surgery in time for the tournament. The issue forced her out of the Australian Open in January.

Tomljanovic and wildcard Kimberly Birrell are the only Australians in the women’s Roland-Garros draw, while at least seven compatriots, led by world No.19 Alex de Minaur, will compete in the men’s singles.

Priscilla Hon, Storm Sanders, Jaimee Fourlis and Olivia Gadecki will play their first qualifying matches on Tuesday night, while Arina Rodionova has progressed to the second round of qualifying.

Sam Stosur hopes Ajla Tomljanovic is fit in time for the first round of the French Open. Picture: Graham Denholm / Getty Images

Retired French and US Open champion Sam Stosur said the lack of Australian women at Roland-Garros this year was “obviously not ideal”, but she didn’t believe there was any issue with the development of local talent.

“You want more players in the draw, that goes without saying, and hopefully Ajla can make a comeback this week,” Stosur said.

“If not, then hopefully it’ll be very soon – she’s had a fantastic year last year and now to miss all the year so far is really devastating for her, but I know she’s going to work as hard as she can to get back out there.

“It’s all cyclical, it goes around in cycles – next year we could have 10 and this year will be all forgotten about. You’ve got to do the best you can with whoever’s in the draw, and I’m wishing those two all the best.”

Sam Stosur says she is not concerned by a lack of Aussie women in the main draw at Roland-Garros. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Stosur praised the resilience of fellow Queenslander Birrell, who is on the verge of the top 100 for the first time at 25 years old.

“Kimbo has had a really good year leading in. She’s won tons of matches this year and also had her own injury struggles over the last few years,” she said.

“So to now see her really on the brink of breaking top 100 and getting into these grand slams on her own merit is fantastic.”

Stosur said she felt her decision to retire fully from tennis after bowing out of the Australian Open mixed doubles draw had come at the right time.

“I haven’t regretted that decision at all. The time that I’ve been out on court mentoring and coaching, I’ve loved. But I don’t feel like I want to do it myself anymore,” she said.