Ajla Tomljanovic Reportedly Switching Nationalities to Australia
http://0rz.tw/UH8eZ
Ajla Tomljanovic, the Croatian No. 1, will reportedly be switching
nationalities to Australia according to Linda Pearce of the Sydney Morning
Herald. The 21-year-old Tomljanovic, who came to the United States at the age
of 13 to further her tennis career, joined forces with Sam Stosur's former
coach, David Taylor, in December. Her tennis skills were honed on the grounds
of the Evert Academy in Boca Raton, Fla.
Tomljanovic, who upset Agnieszka Radwanska en route to the second week of
Roland Garros, will represent Australia at the US Open, according to the report
. While she can compete under her new flag at Grand Slams, she would be unable
to represent Australia at WTA tournaments until her application for citizenship
is completed.
"Tomljanovic will play as an Australian at grand slam tournaments, effective
immediately, and at Tour events once her citizenship is finalised. Tennis
Australia welcomes Ajla to the Australian tennis family and wishes her
well,'' read a statement from Tennis Australia.
Tomljanovic could conceivably become the Australian No. 3, behind 2011 US Open
champion Stosur and Casey Dellacqua. She would not be the first to take
advantage of Australian hospitality, as fellow WTA Tour players Jarmila
Gajdosova, Arina and Anastasia Rodionova, and Jelena Dokic have all switched
nationalities to Australia in recent years.