Like so many in tennis and outside of it, Ajla Tomljanovic says she's been inspired by Serena Williams' achievements on the court and off. Most people, though, never get to meet their idol. The 29-year-old will do that and more when she faces Williams inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on Friday night.
"I think she's changed the sport of tennis, but also what she's done worldwide for women in sports is incredible. She's paved the way for so many, inspired me to go for my dreams," Tomljanovic told reporters earlier this week.
"Even her longevity. I'm in the part of my career now where they call you on the older side. She's made that kind of nonexistent. 'Old' is not even a word in her vocabulary. Very grateful to her like that. I don't think there's anyone like her, obviously.
"I just remember watching her in Wimby [Wimbledon] final with my sister in front of the TV after my practices. It's a little surreal to me that I made it, and played in the same era as her."
Tomljanovic is bidding for personal history should she win their Round 3 match. She's never before reached the second week at Flushing Meadows. Here are some more fast facts about the Croatian-born Aussie:
She’s looking to make another deep run at a Grand Slam this year
A two-time quarterfinalist at Wimbledon, Tomljanovic is looking to achieve a career-best result at the US Open and reach the second week of a third Grand Slams tournament, having also already appeared in Week 2 at Roland Garros. In 2014, she reached Round 4 in Paris in her main-draw debut.
She’s already had to put forth her best tennis here: In Round 1, she edged former Top 20 player Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 7-6(5), and she then squeaked out a hard-fought 1-6, 6-2, 7-5 win against Evgeniya Rodina in Round 2—one where she trailed 5-3 in the third. Known for having a variety of shots in her repertoire, excellent timing off the ground, and great court movement, she’s looking to her best foot forward against a rejuvenated American icon.
After winning on Wednesday, Tomljanovic revealed that the thought of facing Williams entered her mind even before the Flushing fortnight began. She'll now have the chance to under the lights on Friday night.
“I was quite sad before this tournament that I've never faced her so far. Could be a chance I'll never play her before she retires. I don't look at the draw, so I wasn't sure where she was,” Tomljanovic said.
“But I did have a moment of, like, before the tournament started, I was in my bed and just thought about playing her here on Arthur Ashe [Stadium] before the draw came out. I'm glad that it's now in a third round.”
She's 6-1 against American players this season
The world No. 46 has racked up wins against six Americans this year, with four coming on hard courts: Sloane Stephens (Washington D.C.), Hailey Baptiste (Indian Wells), Ann Li (Dubai), Sophie Chang (Charleston), Catherine Harrison (Wimbeldon) and Taylor Townsend (Cincinnati). Her only loss came to Sofia Kenin in Adelaide in January.
She also owns six career Top 10 wins, and two have come in 2022: She, like Williams, knocked Anett Kontaveit out of a Grand Slam tournament this year (at Roland Garros) and she also knocked out Paula Badosa in Cincinnati.
Williams owns a 33-3 career record against Australians, and Tomljanovic is looking to hand her a third loss to an Aussie woman at a major. Samantha Stosur beat her twice, including famously in the 2011 US Open final.
She’s looking to break another one of Serena’s impressive US Open streaks
Not only is Tomljanovic looking to capture a milestone victory in her career, she's looking to inflict a famous defeat on the six-time champion: Williams hasn't lost in the third round at the US Open since her tournament debut in 1998.
“It's definitely something I'll never forget in my career,” Tomljanovic said. “It's going to be a huge moment no matter the outcome. No matter the fact that I've been a Serena fan since I was a kid, on Friday night I'll just be a competitor and I'll try my best to win.”
