Netflix Tennis Star Ajla Tomljanovic Accomplishes Major Milestone

Ajla Tomljanovic has reached her first quarter-final round since the 2022 US Open.

Ajla Tomljanovic picked up an important win on Wednesday, / Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Grass court season is officially upon us, and that includes the iconic Birmingham Classic. While some players struggle to make the adjustment to a different court surface, others rise up in the face of adversity.

Ajla Tomljanovic can consider herself a part of the latter group. On Wednesday morning, Tomljanovic came from a set down to defeat Zhu Lin in three sets: 6-7, 6-1, 6-4. With the victory, Tomljanovic advances to the quarter-finals of the Birmingham Classic.

It is Tomljanovic's first tour-level quarter-final round appearance since her legendary performance at the 2022 US Open. It is also the first time she has scored back-to-back Top 100 wins at a WTA event for the 1st time since 2022

Into the QF’s 👏👏

🇦🇺 Ajla Tomljanovic (LL) from a set down defeats 🇨🇳 Lin Zhu to reach the last 8️⃣ of the WTA 250 Birmingham 🇬🇧 R16. #TheFirstServe pic.twitter.com/PNSkfDLGmD

— The First Serve (@TheFirstServeAU) June 19, 2024

Since then, Tomljanovic has battled injuries and had to rehabilitate from multiple surgeries. Many new tennis fans have followed Tomljanovic since she was the breakout star of the Netflix docuseries Break Point.

Following today's match, Tomljanovic was asked how she handled the low points of her career, including time away from the game.

Tomljanovic said, "For moments like this… I just really wanted to be back out here playing matches like this. Even when I was nervous and negative, I tried to remind myself that this is what I worked for. I should enjoy the moments even though it's really tense. To be through, now I'm really relieved."

Ajla Tomljanovic after reaching first tour level QF since coming back

“How did you manage the low points in your career when you haven’t been able to be on court?”

Ajla: “For moments like this… I just really wanted to be back out here playing matches like this. Even when I was… pic.twitter.com/LVhdPDBNYd

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) June 19, 2024

Today's victory is a testament to Tomljanovic's determination and dedication. Now, the 31-year-old will wait to see who she plays in tomorrow's quarter-final round.

It appears that Tomljanovic is hitting her stride at the right time in grass court season. Tennis fans can follow Sports Illustrated's Serve on SI for all the most important news from the sport.

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