Pat Rafter has all the time had a excessive opinion of Ajla Tomljanovic’s expertise and grit and says this summer season of tennis is the place she will take the following step and construct in the direction of difficult for an Australian Open title.
The 29-year-old world no.33 will line up within the inaugural United Cup in Sydney from Thursday in an Australian line-up which incorporates Nick Kygrios and Alex de Minaur.
The 18-country combined groups occasion shall be performed in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and is the place Tomljanovic will start her preparation for the Australian Open in January.
Tomljanovic made the quarter finals of the US Open and Wimbledon this 12 months to achieve her highest world singles rating.
“Ajla did nicely within the grand slams this 12 months and wasn’t far off going additional both. She is a superb ball striker and when she has her confidence she goes nice,” Rafter informed AAP.
“Generally her confidence is not there and he or she would not play as nicely, however going that further step is all about including an additional string to your bow and figuring out the way to win once you aren’t taking part in nicely.
“As you grow old you’re employed out how all that works. Hopefully she has realized from her expertise and might win when not taking part in her greatest tennis.”
The Croatian-born right-hander has battled accidents through the years however it’s the means she has handled them that almost all impresses Rafter.
“Ajla has had an up and down profession primarily as a result of she’s had such horrible accidents,” Rafter stated.
“She’s had some fairly dangerous shoulder operations and it is fairly arduous to return again from that however via all of it she has remained actually upbeat, which is why she is having some good outcomes now.
“I take my hat off to her. She has hung in there when she may have actually packed it in… after being touted as the following huge factor. She fought arduous to get again into it. I’m hopeful we will see her expertise come to the fore this summer season.”
When Rafter was extra concerned within the Australian tennis scene he had a bit to do with Tomljanovic and her father Ratko.
“Ajla is a superb woman. All of the dealings I’ve ever had together with her father Ratko had been nice. They had been all the time actually grateful and a extremely good crew,” he stated.
Rafter stated he was wanting ahead to watching the primary United Cup unfold.
“I believe it’s a nice idea. Tennis Australia likes to attempt new initiatives and they’re having a crack right here with the women and men taking part in collectively,” he stated. “I’m actually to see the way it performs out.”
