Ajla Tomljanović's Australian Open 2026 campaign is in doubt after she retired with an injury during her Adelaide International match against Maya Joint. The 32-year-old was dominating at 2-0 and leading 30-0 on her serve, but then started to fade, clutching her shoulder at 30-30. Her service speeds noticeably dropped, with commentators noting a 'collapse'.
Ajla's service speeds were noticeably down, with Sam Smith saying they'd 'collapsed'. At deuce, Ajla grimaced and then decided to sit down, calling for medical attention. The trainer took Ajla through specific shoulder exercises before they both went into the dressing room. Ajla reappeared and retired, giving Maya a hug before the Aussie teen passed on her best wishes.
'It's bad timing really, I hope she can get better for the AO,' Maya said post-match. 'I was looking forward to this match, so many people came out here today, I know it would've been a good match but I hope she can get better fast.'
Ajla's withdrawal means Maya Joint will now play Mirra Andreeva in the quarter-final on Thursday at 7pm (AEDT).
This is a disappointing turn of events for Ajla, who was in amazing shape and hitting the ball beautifully. It's a reminder that even the best athletes can be affected by injuries, and it's important to take care of our bodies. But here's where it gets controversial... some might argue that Ajla could have pushed through the pain and continued playing. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
