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Former world No 32 Ajla Tomljanovic is set to kick off her 2023 season at the US Open, via Blair Henley. Tomljanovic, who has plummeted to No 130 in the world, underwent knee surgery after being forced to withdraw from this year's Australian Open.
After missing the Australian Open and French Open, Tomljanovic was hoping to at least be able to compete at Wimbledon. Tomljanovic's comeback at Wimbledon didn't happen but at least the Australian is ready to compete at Flushing Meadows.
According to Henley, Tomljanovic confirmed her knee "feels good."
So good to have Ajla Tomljanovic back in NY one year after her win over Serena en route to the QFs.
She says her knee feels good, and she’s ready to go for what will be her first match of 2023.
(Yes, that’s Netflix star Ratko chilling in the umpire chair - ha!) #USOpen pic.twitter.com/3KKTHUO08m — Blair Henley (@BlairHenley) August 22, 2023
Tomljanovic set to make a comeback at the US Open
Last year, Tomljanovic experienced one of the most memorable moments of her career at the US Open.
In the US Open third round - in front of a sold-out Arthur Ashe Stadium - Tomljanovic sent Serena Williams into retirement after beating the American tennis icon 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-1. The Arthur Ashe Stadium is the biggest tennis stadium in the world and the whole world was following Williams' final tournament.
But Tomljanovic was able to block out what was happening around her and beat Williams. After the match, Tomljanovic said she felt "conflicted" because she wanted to beat Williams but also felt sorry after being the one who ended the American's career.
"Probably the most conflicted I’ve ever felt after a win. During the match I was so eager to win. I mean, I wanted to win as much as the next person, because I didn’t look at her like, ‘Oh, Serena, her last tournament.'
But then, when it ended, it almost didn’t feel right. When she started talking about her family and everything, I got emotional, because I can relate to having a strong bond with your family. When she said that she wouldn’t be there if it wasn’t for them, I relate to that a lot. Just the whole moment after was just tough to handle a little bit," Tomljanovic said.