"I can't live in the past": Ajla Tomljanovic still believes on tennis return despite dismal injury luck
WTAThursday, 21 December 2023 at 05:00
Australian tennis star Ajla Tomljanovic has stated that she
is looking forward to put the injury setbacks behind and start fresh in the
upcoming Australian Open.
The 30-year-old has struggled with fitness concerns over the
last 10 months. Tomljanovic was recently quoted in a report where she admitted
that she could not live in the past and also stated optimism of getting back to
her best very soon.
“I honestly do believe that I can get back to that level [of
contending for slams] if I get healthy, which I believe I’m already there,” she
said. “Maybe there’s 15 per cent left that I still need to get back to, but I
think it is within my reach.
“I’d be lying if this year there haven’t been random moments
where I was with my team and I’m like, ‘this is just so unlucky what happened
because I was at my best and I got so unlucky. You can’t control this injury,
and the doubt and the fear was always that maybe this will be it.
“But I can’t live in the past, and I felt stupid calling it
unfair when there were wars happening in the world and kids dying. I very
quickly got it out of my system. I just want to accept it and move forward and
just believe that if I get healthy I can still play my best tennis. If I didn’t
think that, I probably wouldn’t keep trying.”
The Zagreb-born further went on to state that she is eyeing
at least a quarterfinal spot in the first Grand Slam of the year.
“I don’t feel like I’m 30, even though I am,” she said. “I
know my body doesn’t lie, but having just a few setbacks over the years, I do
feel very fresh in my mind. Coming into the early summer, I believe that
special things can happen.
“Yeah, it would be amazing to make quarters or more in
Melbourne. But I also am kind of going back to being just a kid playing again
because I’m excited to just be part of these events again because you don’t
know how well you’re going to do until you step on the court.”
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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