Rising Croatian Tennis Star Switches Allegiance to Australia

Rising Croatian tennis player Ajla Tomljanović will no longer play under the Croatia flag after it was reported that she would take up Australian citizenship, reports the Sydney Morning Herald..

The Zagreb-born 21-year-old will now compete under the Australia flag, starting at the 2014 US Open in September. Tomljanović, who has risen to number 56 in the world in a short space of time, will represent Australia at all grand slam events until she receives an Australian passport and residency status, which will then enable her to represent Australia also at the WTA level.

The reason for Tomljanović’s switch of allegiance looks like it is connected with her new coach, Australian David Taylor.Tomljanović has been based in Florida since the age of 13, and joining forces with Taylor and the renowned training facilities and support services at Melbourne Park’s National Tennis Centre are seen as the main reasons.

“Tomljanovic will play as an Australian at grand slam tournaments, effective immediately, and at Tour events once her citizenship is finalised. Tennis Australia welcomes Ajla to the Australian tennis family and wishes her well,” Tennis Australia said to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Croatian Tennis Association have said that they have had no official confirmation from the player or Tennis Australia, but would contact the family to confirm.