Ajla Tomljanovic’s dream of finally winning her first WTA tennis title after 15 years of slog has been shattered after she fell frustratingly short once again in the final of the Birmingham Classic.
For the Australian stalwart, who had reached four previous WTA finals only to be beaten in them all, it was deja vu as Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva won 6-1 7-6 (10-8) in a grass-court showdown for the Maud Watson Trophy at Edgbaston on Sunday.
Tomljanovic had lifted what’s considered as a ‘challenger’ trophy in Brazil last year amid an injury-strewn spell, but a triumph in a tour-level ‘250’ event had, frustratingly, always proved beyond the 31-year-old in 179 previous WTA main draws.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
But back in business in the celebrated pre-Wimbledon event at Edgbaston Priory only a month since she began her latest comeback amid an eight-month injury and illness hiatus, it proved a familiar tale of what might have been for the Queensland player.
Outplayed by inspired world No.41 Putintseva in the opening set and at the start of the second, Tomljanovic fought back superbly, finding real venom in her ball-striking to earn a set point at 5-4, only to inexplicably serve up three straight double faults to allow Putintseva a path back.
Then in a dramatic tiebreak, Tomljanovic missed out on a second set point before twice saving championship point, only to finally succumb by screwing a forehand just wide.
“It’s never easy losing in a final but I really tried my best today,” Tomljanovic told the sympathetic crowd, many of whom have been supporting her at the Birmingham event for more than a decade.
“It’s amazing, from 14 years ago you’ve been amazing. Always the attendance at this event has been through the roof and the support this week has been really nice.
“When you haven’t played for a while you really notice these things. We really appreciate it as players.”
Playing on the Ann Jones Centre Court and being watched by the 85-year-old 1969 Wimbledon champion herself, Tomljanovic missed out on becoming only the second Aussie winner at Edgbaston after Ash Barty in 2019.
But she was left proud that, down in the rankings at 190 after her injury problems, she will be back up to 135 next week and in form for another crack at Wimbledon where she’s twice previously reached the quarter-finals.
And behind the scenes Wimbledon was rallying around the seemingly unaware Tomljanovic.
The All England Club confirmed just hours after the Birmingham final that she had been awarded a wildcard for the grand slam.
Tomljanovic was already locked in for the main draw using her special ranking but the decision ensures she can now use that to enter another event in the near future.
She has not played at Wimbledon since falling to eventual champion Elena Rybakina in the 2022 quarter-finals.
Tomljanovic suffered the same fate a year earlier, losing to Barty in the quarters before the then world No.1 went on to win the title.
On Sunday in Birmingham, Tomljanovic found a second-set purple patch with a succession of booming winners off both wings.
But Putintseva, who had dropped only one set all week on the way to her third tour crown, ended up somewhat relieved to turn things around.
“It’s been a great game. I started so well, and then Ajla developed her level to the highest and she was playing really amazing, not giving me any time to think,” the 29-year-old said.
“The game was even in the end and I was a bit more lucky.
“I want to congratulate Ajla. It’s great to see you back after everything you’ve been through, with all your injuries. It’s a great achievement.
“You deserve this title as much as I do, but today I was stronger, but hopefully we’ll have a lot more to come, a lot more of these moments to share.”
Then, she couldn’t resist adding with a laugh: “And, yeah, hope I win the next one as well!”
Putintseva, whose feisty on-court demeanour contrasts so strikingly with a jokey off-court persona, added: “My first grass-court title. I don’t know what I’m feeling because I wasn’t expecting this at all.
“It’s great — and it’s confusing because I’ve always been good on clay, but now all of a sudden, I’m good on grass! I’ll take that! It’s great!”
– with 7NEWS