Ashleigh Barty, the former world number one, views Ajla Tomljanovic as the leading force in Australian tennis with a genuine shot at the 2023 Australian Open singles title. Barty believes Tomljanovic has the skill and confidence to challenge any opponent and continue her strong Grand Slam trajectory. Following Barty's departure from the sport this March, Tomljanovic became the nation's leading player. At 29, she has steadily climbed the ranks, demonstrating her quality by making it to the quarter-finals of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Former world no.1 Ashleigh Barty believes Ajla Tomljanovic is the dominant Australian player who has the ability to win the women’s singles title at the 2023 Australian Open. Barty sees no reason why Tomljanovic cannot continue her run in the Grand Slam tournaments and challenge any opponent in the Australian Open. After Barty retired in March this year, Tomljanovic has taken over the mantle as Australia’s no.1 player. The 29-year-old player has made steady progress and proved herself in big tournaments, reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.
Tomljanovic wrapped up the season at a career-high No. 33 in the WTA standings. With a sharpened focus and clear ambition, she is now chasing the sport's highest honors. Her recent success suggests she could be seeded for the upcoming Australian Open in January 2023. Barty has expressed great admiration for Tomljanovic's development over the last few years, arguing that her exceptional performance this season warrants a higher ranking than she currently holds.
The three-time Grand Slam winner noted that rankings aren't always a perfect reflection of skill and that players often have to accept things they can't change. Barty believes that Tomljanovic's ability to accept these hurdles and keep improving is a major strength. She highlighted the high level of tennis Tomljanovic played during her impressive quarter-final runs in this year's Slams.
Barty's retirement came only a few weeks after she became the first Australian woman in over four decades to win the Australian Open. Now, local fans are eager to see a new national star rise to the occasion at Melbourne Park in 2023. Tomljanovic is perfectly positioned to take on that challenge and is already a player the Australian public can be incredibly proud of.
Tomljanovic's path to the Wimbledon quarter-finals included a victory over former French Open champ Barbora Krejcikova, and she even managed to take a set from the eventual winner, Elena Rybakina. Later at the U.S. Open, she secured a landmark three-set win over the legendary Serena Williams in the third round. In doing so, she became the first Australian woman since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1979 to reach the quarters of both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year. Additionally, she played a key role in leading Australia to the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup final. Barty summed it up by saying Tomljanovic is doing a fantastic job.
Tomljanovic became the first Aussie female since the legendary Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1979 to reach Wimbledon and U.S. Open quarter-finals in a single season. She also guided Australia to the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup final. Barty concluded that Tomljanovic is doing a hell of a job.