TENNIS ROLAND GARROS Tomljanovic has just won the biggest match of her life by defeating third seed Agnieszka Radwanska and seize her first slam fourth round, but she said the tournament is definitely not over. Giulio Gasparin
Ajla Tomljanovic has just won the biggest match of her life by defeating third seed Agnieszka Radwanska and seize her first slam fourth round, but she said the tournament is definitely not over.
The young Croat looked confident and happy despite this was her first press conference; her English with a touch of American accent given by the many years at the Evert Academy in Florida.
She admitted that watching fellow youngsters upsetting the highest seeds was a strong push for her to compete at her best against Radwanska.
“After seeing, you know, the two first seeds go out, you kind of feel like I can do this, too. I grew up with these girls that are beating them,” she said.
“You go out,” she added: “I went on the stadium for the first time, and she kind of feels like home there, because she’s been there a lot more than I did.
“I went out there, and I really, inside really thought I could win. I think that showed and it is why I won.”
After a promising junior career, she was forced to fight against glandular fever and results were not coming, for that she had a special dedication.
“Last year was my comeback year from mono, and I think I got myself to 70 to finish the year, and I thought that was a good effort,” she said.
“Then I started working in December with my new coach, Dave Taylor, and I really think that helped a lot, because he really implemented some things in my game that I really needed. I really owe him this win today, for sure.”
What impressed of her match, apart from her great game plan and execution, was the ability to hold her nerves when serving for the match, given the big stadium, the moment and her opponent.
She admitted she felt nervous, but that did not stop her: “I even went to the wrong side at like 30‑Love, I think, because I was thinking, Okay, if I serve well here it’s going to be 40‑Love.
“And I guess in my mind I already thought I had three match points. Probably embarrassing to do that first time at Chatrier.”
But the crowd and the fans surely forgave her for this small “défaillance” as her game spoke in her defence and also her opponent had plenty to prize her for it.
“She’s serving very well,” said Radwanska: “Even with the heavy balls she can still serve pretty hard.
“Solid game from the baseline, as well. She’s moving pretty well, and, you know, mixing up a lot of dropshots, slice, you know, pretty much everything on court.”
She added: “She definitely played good tennis today. I had my chances. I didn’t do them. I think that cost me the match.”
