Tomljanovic to lead Australia at BJK Cup

Shayne Hope | October 7, 2022

Ajla Tomljanovic will look to add further shine to her breakthrough year when she spearheads Australia’s team at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Glasgow.

World No.34 Tomljanovic (Qld), who has reached two successive grand slam quarter-finals, has been named for Australia alongside Priscilla Hon (Qld), Ellen Perez (NSW), Storm Sanders (WA) and veteran Sam Stosur (Qld).

Australia are in Group B for November’s finals with Slovakia and Belgium, and are out to build on last year’s performance when they lost to Switzerland in the semi-finals.

“We had a fantastic result last year, reaching the semi-finals, with some incredible victories and upsets from our Aussie team,” captain Alica Molik said.

“We hope we can take it another step this year and perform to our team’s strength in Glasgow.”

Tomljanovic, who boasts a career-high ranking, troubled world No.1 Iga Swiatek at the Ostrava Open this week but retired with a left knee injury.

The 29-year-old reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and the US Open, where she also brought the curtain down on Serena Williams’ career with her now-celebrated third-round triumph.

“Ajla has had an amazing year on court,” Molik said.

Sixteen-year-old Taylah Preston (WA) will join the Australian team as a training partner.