Ajla Tomljanovic’s move to change her citizenship from Croatian to Australian could encounter a substantial financial setback following new ITF regulations.
Tomljanovic, who achieved a career high of 47th in the world last year, is currently in the process of applying for Australian Citizenship. She publicly announced her plans to switch countries in June 2014.
Originally the 22-year-old was presented with an appealing funding figure from Tennis Australia, however, her Fed Cup history has put her funding in jeopardy. Tomljanovic has played 11 matches for Croatia between 2010-2011. Under new ITF rules, players are not allowed to represent more than one country in team events. Therefore, when she completes her switch in nationalities, Tomljanovic will be ineligible to represent her new country in the Fed Cup or Olympics.
Speaking about the situation, Tennis Australia president, Steve Healy, told Fairfax media that he will be reviewing the funding procedure, calling it ‘a privilege’ to play for Australia.
“That’s a fundamental question for us to ask, as a board: do we fund someone who will play with ‘Australia’ after her name in WTA [tournaments], but can’t represent us at Fed Cup and the Olympics? What do we do with that funding criteria?,” Healty was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying.
“I think it’s really important that the people we do fund do play for Australia. It’s hardly a big ask; it’s a privilege to play for Australia, and the results for our national teams are critically important to us. Ajla’s a very nice person and a good player, and you want to help all these kids, but it’s not really just about her, it’s about a matter of principle – we need to step back and say, how is this going to work?”
The dilemma facing Tomljanovic is one known well by another player on the tour, Aljaz Bedene. Bedene switched his allegiance from Slovenia to Great Britain on March 31st 2015. He has been involved in a lengthy process with the ITF concerning his desire to represent Great Britain in the Davis Cup (after previously playing for Slovenia). The British No.2 has stated that he started his application before the implementation of the new rules, however, the ITF has ruled against his appeal. The 26-year-old is currently looking at further legal action.
The final outcome of Bedene’s lengthy legal battle with the ITF could prove vital to the 22-year-old. Healy said that ‘all factors’ will be looked at in Tomljanovic’s case. He also said that the view of performance director, Pat Rafter, is that players will receive funding ‘based on playing for Australia‘.
The funding worry is the latest thing to come in what has been a nightmare start to 2016 for the Zagreb-born player. Tomljanovic has been out of action since the Australian Open due to a shoulder injury. The absence from the tour had lead to her slipping to 106th in the world rankings.
