Tomljanović on the Australian Open clock again after Adelaide heartbreak

Alja Tomljanović is facing another crunch-time rush to be ready for the Australian Open — if she can even play in her home grand slam — after being forced to bow out just two games into a clash with fellow Aussie Maya Joint in Adelaide.

The world no.76 had taken an early break against 19-year-old Joint (already a revelation this summer) and had been leading 30-0 on her serve, before something appeared to give in her shoulder. Her service speed quickly “collapsed,” as flagged by commentator Sam Smith, before she sat down at deuce and called for medical attention.

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“I think she’d have the trainer here, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Smith said on Nine’s commentary. “She only calls for the trainer if something serious is going on… can’t believe this, she’s in amazing shape and hitting the ball beautifully.”

Tomljanović went through several shoulder exercises before her trainer took her into the dressing room.

She only returned to hug Joint and formally retire before disappearing again.

It’s brutal timing for the star Australian, who has been looking great heading into the glamorous contest in Melbourne Park. While she hadn’t been able to secure a top 32 seeding for the event, Tomljanović had been considered a smokey to crack through the first few rounds — especially considering raucous Aussie fans always get behind her in matches.

“It’s bad timing really, I hope she can get better for the Australian Open,” Joint agreed post-match.

“I was looking forward to this match, so many people came out today. I know it would’ve been a good match. I hope she can get better fast.”

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Tomljanović, now 32, has struggled with injuries throughout her late 20s and early 30s, suffering everything from fibroids and mid-tournament illness to this shoulder injury that has plagued her. She last year came into the Aus Open looking okay and beat Ashlyn Krueger to make the second round, before losing to 12th seed Diana Shnaider.

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This is the second time she’s been forced to retire against Joint specifically in the last twelve months, too; she succumbed to illness in a battle against the youngster in Morocco in 2025. Joint went on to win that WTA 250 event.

The 32-year-old now has four days to decide whether she’ll contest the 2026 Aus Open or bow out early.