'It's all good': Ajla Tomljanovic declares ugly feud with Jelena Ostapenko over
Ajla Tomljanovic insists there is no more bad blood between her and Jelena Ostapenko despite their ugly clash at Wimbledon in 2021.
The Latvian sent Tomljanovic out of the Australian Open, recording a 6-0, 3-6, 6-4 victory in their second round clash that finished well after midnight on John Cain Arena.
The pair famously clashed at the All-England club in the third round in 2021, when Tomljanovic accused Ostapenko of faking an injury during the third set of their match to get an immediate medical timeout.
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Ajla Tomljanovic and Jelena Ostapenko half-embrace at the net following their second round clash at the Australian Open. Getty
But at the net following their match on Thursday night, it was all smiles, and a half-embrace.
"When I step on the court, there's nothing – I never think about anything other than competing," Tomljanovic said later.
"I really credit to her how she played. I really respected her game.
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"What happened, happened in the past – it's water under the bridge now.
"I think there is mutual respect between her and I. She was really kind with her words when we shook hands and she said she was happy to see me back.
"As a competitor, I really appreciate that. I just said good luck to her.
"Yeah, it's all good."
Ostapenko, in her post-match interview with Jelena Dokic, said it was "great to see (Tomljanovic) back".
"I know injuries are really tough and it's great to see her play well."
Despite only winning one match during the Australian swing, Tomljanovic said she was happy with where her game was at, as well as how her body was feeling.
Although officially still No.271 in the world, Tomljanovic will no doubt move up when rankings are recalculated after the Australian Open.
Having said that, she will still be too low to make main draw events on current rankings, a point she alluded to in her post-match press conference when asked about her 2024 plans.
She said she hopes to play in the Thailand Open, a WTA250 event that starts on January 29.
"My schedule depends on wild cards because I'm really selective with my special ranking tournaments that I'm using," she said.
"For now, the next special ranking one I'll use (is) probably Indian Wells.
"Everything else I'm kind of just looking what's the best schedule-wise – quallies or main draw."
Ostapenko will next face 18th seed Victoria Azarenka on Saturday for a spot in the round of 16.
