Ajla Tomljanović has offered a revealing glimpse into the mindset that has defined some of her biggest moments on tour after securing a first-round victory at the 2026 ATX Open in Texas. After defeating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-1 in Austin, the Australian reflected on how competing against the Williams sisters mentally elevates her.
A Closer Look at Ajla Tomljanović’s Composure Under Pressure Against Serena and Venus Williams
Williams, now 45 and competing as a wildcard ranked No. 560, is navigating the demanding road back toward relevance on tour. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion opened sharply, racing to a 3-1 lead in the first set.
But Tomljanović’s steady baseline play shifted the balance. The Australian reeled off five of the next six games to secure the opener, then surged through the second set as Williams struggled physically and her serve faltered. The match lasted 95 minutes and marked Williams’ seventh consecutive tour-level loss, highlighting the physical demands of sustaining elite tennis deep into one’s 40s.
For Tomljanović, the victory added another significant chapter to her unique history with the Williams sisters. By winning their first-ever meeting, she joined Bianca Andreescu as one of only two players to remain undefeated against both Venus and Serena.
Tomljanović’s place in that exclusive company stems in part from her role at the 2022 US Open, where she defeated Serena in what became the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s final professional match.
“Somehow Venus and Serena tend to bring the best out of me mentally because I always kind of think, ‘what would they do?’ in that moment. I try to make it work for me, not against me. ”
Ajla Tomljanovic after defeating Venus Williams in Austin. pic.twitter.com/A0waGyQmL3
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That context makes her recent comments especially striking. Rather than framing the encounters as daunting, she described them as mentally clarifying. “Somehow Venus and Serena tend to bring the best out of me mentally,” she said. “I always kind of think, ‘what would they do?’ in that moment. I try to make it work for me, not against me.”
Tomljanović shared those reflections during her post-match, on-court interview immediately following the win in Austin. She advanced to the second round, where she will take on second seed Iva Jovic in what will be their first meeting on the WTA Tour.
How Is Williams Shaping the Next Phase of Her 2026 Campaign?
In addition to her singles run, Williams is competing in the doubles draw with fellow American Peyton Stearns. Both players entered the doubles tournament as wildcards, and they are scheduled to play their opening match against the top-seeded duo of Taylor Townsend and Storm Hunter.
For Venus, the focus will shift toward the “Sunshine Doubles” at Indian Wells and Miami, where she has already accepted wildcards to continue her 2026 campaign.
