THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 5, 2021

Ajla Tomljanovic

Press Conference

A. TOMLJANOVIC/E. Raducanu

6-4, 3-0 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Prematch, wondering the tactics to handle your opponent? How are you going to handle the crowd?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Yeah, I didn't know much about Emma, but I did look at a lot of highlights. She's been playing this week. She looked like a really aggressive baseliner with a good serve. Not much she didn't know how to do.

I knew I had to be ready after my serve for her return because she was playing it pretty aggressive. She loves to go cross.

Yeah, I was just going to go out there, do what I do. Nothing major tactically. But just know from both sides she's solid and, yeah, I had to be ready for a lot of balls coming back from her.

I knew the crowd would be on her side, of course. Actually my dad and Matteo before the match, they were like, Look, we work to be in the fourth round of a slam and play on Court 1 in Wimbledon. No matter the crowd being against you, it's going to be a privilege to be out there and just feel the energy.

Also a few times they did say, Let's go, Emma. But it kind of sounded like 'Ajla' at one point so I was pretending it was for me (smiling).

Q. After the match John McEnroe was on BBC, made some quite bizarre comments which he inferred that Emma couldn't handle the pressure, it was anxiety that was causing her issues, and you would be happy for this result and the way it turned out. What would you like to say to his remarks?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I wasn't a hundred percent sure what was wrong with Emma. I did hear the reasoning. I'll start with saying that I can't imagine being in her shoes at 18 playing a fourth round in your home country. It's something I can't even imagine.

For him to say that, it's definitely harsh. I have experienced something similar but not to that extent. I know that it's a real thing. I've spoken to athletes that have gone through that. It's not easy.

When I heard the reasoning, I almost felt worse about it because I know how bad that can feel. But then again, it didn't happen to me. I can't imagine how she must be feeling having to pull out. Being down 6-4, 3-Love, you can come back from that quickly, especially on grass.

It's really sad that she had to do that. I do feel sorry.

Q. Your first time in the quarterfinals of a major. I know you didn't want to win the way it turned out, but what do you feel like being in the final eight of a major? Playing Ash tomorrow, look ahead to that, the short turnaround that you've got.

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I think the short turnaround isn't really giving the effect of being in the quarters. It didn't really sink in because I'm already thinking what I'm going to do tomorrow.

But I did think to myself, I have to give myself some time to reflect on the week I've been having, just to give myself a pat on the back. Even though the circumstances were like this tonight, it is the biggest achievement so far in my career.

I'm unbelievably proud of myself that I'm here. I didn't think I would be in a way. I didn't think these two weeks would be my breakthrough. Now that they are, it's kind of surreal. It just puts everything back into perspective.

Yeah, no matter the outcome tomorrow, I'm probably never going to forget this.

Q. You mentioned you've been told the reasoning for Emma's withdrawal. Can you tell us what you were told?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I wasn't really told anything clear. Whose ever question it was confirmed what I kind of heard. Nothing that I heard was clear, so I didn't really take it into -- I didn't really take it seriously.

Q. Would you like the tournament organizers to have had this match on second given you're now playing a quarterfinal in less than 24 hours, such a short turnaround, given Ash has had six to eight hours more recovery than you? It's a pretty tough ask.

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Not really. I was just happy to get a big court. I would have taken a later slot just to play on Court 1 or Centre. It's so special out there. So I don't mind the quick turnaround.

Q. Can you talk about the importance of those two games at the end of the first set? You broke for the set, which seemed pretty big. Earlier you mentioned that you thought this moment might not come. Could you expand on that, why you thought you weren't going to be able to make a slam quarterfinal.

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Yeah, you're right, those two games were crucial. Facing breakpoints wasn't fun because she was kind of holding comfortably. I thought it wouldn't be easy for me to be down 5-4 and her serving.

But I did think, Okay, I'm down a breakpoint, but I'm still serving, I'm still in control. That mentality really got me through previous matches as well. That's something that was huge today.

The game at 5-4, I actually played some of my best points in that game, which did come in clutch in that game. It set the tone for I think the second set as well. I was feeling pretty confident after that.

As for the quarterfinal, I wouldn't say I didn't believe in my career I would ever get it, but just the way my season was. The year before I had a lot of heartbreaking moments where I thought this was my week, against Simona, Garbine, Sloane a long time ago. All of a sudden everything felt really far from me even though I did feel like I'm playing well just because mentally those matches took a little bit of a toll. It got to me a little bit. It got in my head.

But I had to put my head down and keep working and not think about those matches, think in a positive way. It's not easy.

So coming to Wimbledon, I was thinking really, really small steps. First round. I will be honest, I don't think I'm going into matches thinking I'm going to win. I'm just going in thinking if I take care of myself and what I can do, I have a really good shot.

It's been getting me through until the quarters. So I'm not changing anything.

Q. About Emma, what kind of surprised you compared to other players you played at her age, what she could do on the court?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I wasn't surprised with her level of tennis because there's been so many young girls that can hit the ball. I get more impressed with young girls being at this stage so early, handling it mentally. At 18, I don't even remember what I was like, but I wasn't doing that. I find that impressive.

Q. To what extent you are the most proud of your tournament so far? What extent can you put Ash in trouble with your game?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Yeah, I mean, I'm just proud of the fact that I faced some tough moments in this tournament so far, in the second round, even the first and the third. I've handled it well mentally. That wasn't the case sometimes in my career. It did play a part in my mind. Okay, is this going to happen again? Am I going to lose it mentally? Am I going to in a way choke or something?

I do remember all the bad matches I've played instead of the good ones. Me always kind of being glass half empty, which I've been working on. To come through and really work on that side of my mentality, it's been big.

It's a long time coming just because I know how much work I've put in prior to this event. Now to come to see myself in the quarters, yeah, it kind of deserves a pat on my back.

Q. Can you talk about facing Ash. She's obviously the trailblazer for Australian tennis, a good friend of yours I think. Now you have to go and take her down. How do you see it panning out?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: I'm just happy to share the court with Ash tomorrow. I always talk so highly of her because it's really what I think. How she goes about everything, I see it as an example. In a way she's also so simple with how she approaches things.

Tomorrow, I mean, I know I'm going to have to bring everything I've got to potentially win. As I said before, I'm not thinking so much about winning. How much I'm thinking about, Okay, what do I have to do to put myself in the best spot? Then hopefully my instinct takes over.

And just the whole surroundings of the Centre Court, I think it's going to be special no matter what.

Q. A bit of history here. First all-Australian women's quarterfinal at a major since 1980 when Evonne defeated Wendy Turnbull. Do you think about the historical aspect of the sport much? What do you think about that sort of a gap? We're also guaranteed of an Australian in the semifinals.

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: When I hear about history with other players, I always think it's really cool. I've just never been in a position to be part of it. Now when you said that, I think it's really cool. When I look back I'll be in that small group.

I wouldn't say I play for that. When it happens, it's a nice achievement as well.

Q. Obviously with Matteo and Felix through as well, it's kind of a tricky 48 hours for the Tomljanovic family, I would think. Have you thought about what the tricky rooting interests will be come Wednesday?

AJLA TOMLJANOVIC: Well, we all played on the same day so far. We always had this thing. Nina, my cousin, she's dating Felix. She was always watching all of our matches. On the days we're playing, you're so busy. We got to get a three out of three. Felix was always the last one on. When we would see him, it was like, Okay, Felix, it's your turn now.

After we won, all three of us passed each other in the hallway. I was so happy for him because he, like, is everything, like how he goes about the sport is unbelievable. He wants it so much. He loves everything about it. To see him do well, it makes me so happy.

I gave him a fist pump, like, Yay, Felix. I think they actually also hugged. I'm happy one of them will be through on Wednesday.

Yeah, I mean, what else? If he had lost today, that would have sucked more. Of course, I'd rather see them in the final, but I think it's unbelievable that one of them will be in the semis.