Served with Andy Roddick: Ajla Tomljanovic on Beating Serena Williams, Chris Evert Friendship & More

Release Date: February 11, 2026
Podcast: Served with Andy Roddick

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, the hosts welcome Ajla Tomljanovic, a beloved and candid player on the WTA tour, for an in-depth conversation about her career, mentorship from Chris Evert, her memorable win over Serena Williams, and personal growth on and off the court. With a mix of humor, insight, and openness, Ajla discusses challenges of injuries, navigating nationality, family relationships in tennis, and life after professional sport.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Scene: Tournament Talk & Headlines

• The hosts chat about the evolution of the Dallas tennis tournament and anecdotes about John McEnroe, doubles with Andy Roddick, and crowd engagement.

  • “Every time McEnroe steps on a tennis court, I’m reminded how good he still is.” – Blair (02:41)

• Quick news hits include climber Sarah Baylick’s win in Abu Dhabi (“5 foot 2, another young Czech player to keep an eye on”), Katie Boulter’s breakthrough, and Sorana Cirstea’s home-country win at age 35 (05:33).

• Discussion of tennis’ generational depth and how federations like the Czech Republic continue to produce a stream of top players (07:30).

Ajla Tomljanovic Joins the Podcast

First Impressions & Recent Update

• Ajla joins freshly back from the Australian swing, candid about pulling out of Abu Dhabi after feeling unwell and the value of listening to her gut about her schedule (11:16).

  • “Sometimes listening to your own thoughts and feelings is more powerful than anything.” – Host (11:45)

• Injury management: Details her recent pec injury before the Australian Open and how she relied on trust in Tennis Australia’s fitness/physio team.

  • “If I’m stepping on the court, I’m going to go full out… even if it gets a bit worse, it’s worth it for me.” – Ajla (14:23)

On Nationality, Family, and Identity

• Navigating Croatian-Australian nationality and feeling at home under the Aussie flag.

  • “As soon as I had AUS behind my name, I really felt connected. They’ve embraced me from the get go.” – Ajla (15:17)
  • Fun asides on how her accent shifts but she chooses to “embrace whatever accent I have now” (18:23).

• Family dynamics: Ajla reflects warmly on her supportive dad (her “biggest believer and cheerleader”) and how the parent-coach relationship was balanced by having a professional coach as a buffer.

  • "He’s proud… it’s really nice to see. I’ve also seen the other side of a parent coach, so it’s really refreshing.” – Host (21:31)

Influential Relationships

With Chris Evert

• Ajla shares the evolution of her mentorship with Chris Evert from a “second mom” when she was 12, to confidante and friend.
  • “She’s a savage... She’s dry, sarcastic, very. She’ll tell you straight, which I love.” – Ajla (24:27, 24:32)

Wimbledon Breakthrough and Grass Court Epiphany

• Initially hating grass, Ajla describes how a mental click led to her quarterfinal run at Wimbledon in 2021, referencing significant matches under Covid conditions.
  • “Once you have that belief, you’re such a different player.” – Ajla (26:32)

Candid Career Reflections & Mindset

On Belief, Confidence, and Enjoyment

• Ajla opens up about the waves of self-belief, how her father and coach renewed her drive, and a new focus on enjoying the moment rather than fearing regrets.

  • “I just want to really enjoy it, because I hate some of the years I’ve sort of wasted not enjoying it… every other week there’s a new opportunity.” – Ajla (28:03)

• Honest about contemplating retirement after injuries, even dabbling with commentary, but finding motivation restored by her coach, Goran Perpich.

  • “I started to just do a bit more media work and almost, like, think about, what do I like outside of tennis? And it took a bit of pressure off.” – Ajla (29:38)

On Transitioning to Media

• Ajla admits that commentary feels awkward when she isn’t playing, but finds the perspective valuable and fun, even if she feels she’s still learning (“I secretly hate it” – 31:23).

Tennis, Media, and Memorable Matches

Beating Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open

• Ajla reflects on the surreal nature of being the last player (for now!) to beat Serena and what it might mean if Serena returns to the tour.
  • “My time in the history books lasted four years. I’ll take it!” – Ajla (32:50)
  • “It did bring out this bitchiness in me, even if it couldn’t show. But it was like, ‘I’m here too,’ and I just played probably the most measured match mentally in my career.” – Ajla (33:39)

DM Culture & Public Relationships

• Funny discussion about social media DMs and the scrutiny of tennis relationships, especially in public and post-breakup ("That ship has sailed" – Host, 36:23).
  • “If I had a daughter, I’d probably be like, maybe date outside your sport. Because most likely, it won’t work out. The odds are stacked against you.” – Ajla (37:37)
  • On family dealing with her public breakups: "Even right after the breakup, they're throwing jokes, and it's fine. Like, it’s part of life." (38:34)

Tour Life, Alone Time, and Female Friendship

• Nuggets on enjoying alone time post-relationship and how priorities shift (“When I finish a match, I love just going back to my hotel… It’s all about me!” – Ajla, 40:00)

• Relatable moments between Ajla, Kim Clijsters, and Blair about balancing tennis life, relationships, family, and self-care.

Tactical Insights from a Player-Commentator

Thoughts on Current Players:

Ajla gives unique quick-hit insights into the strengths of current WTA stars:

• Aryna Sabalenka:
  “Even if she misses two balls, she keeps going the same way. It’s the champions mentality… The belief never wavers.” (41:53)

• Coco Gauff:
  “She’s someone that you really gotta beat… If she’s not having the best day, she’s so athletic that you have to earn it.” (45:12)

• Liudmila Samsonova:
  “One of the biggest hitters on tour… If you just hang in with her, she can have matches where she just goes on a roll and it’s sometimes too good. But with her, it does sometimes feel like if you weather the storm and put in a little bit of variety, it’s what can hurt her.” (46:32)

On Changing Depth in Women’s Tennis

• Discussion on whether the depth is stronger now or the top is weaker, and how technology, fitness, and approach have changed the game.

  • “Kids that were watching, that generation, know there’s only one way to win and be consistent: aggressive tennis… Everybody’s fit now, right?” – Host (50:02)

• Ajla asks about whether a player like Radwanska could succeed today:

  • “She loved hitting against the hard hitters… Now, not a lot of players like hitting against the hard players because it takes away their strength.” – Host (52:18)

Progress in Women's Tennis & Prize Money

• Hosts break the news to Ajla that Charleston will offer record prize money for a WTA 500 event.

  • “I’d wish I was 20 right now, that I can keep playing for another 10 years.” – Ajla (57:37)

• Ajla’s perspective: “I think we must be leading in women’s sports, just with, you know, sort of equality compared to the men… It gets the conversation going, and that’s where change happens.” (56:17)

Heartfelt Closing & Notable Moments

• Ajla’s touching note to Kim Clijsters:

  • “I never had a favorite player growing up, but Kim was always someone that I watched, and when she played all those finals with Justine Henin, it was just surreal to me once I came on tour… Meeting Kim, she exceeded expectations.” (59:14)

• The episode ends with camaraderie, laughter about TikTok reluctance, and teasers for next week.

Most Memorable Quotes

• Ajla on Mindset:
  “I just want to really enjoy it, because I hate some of the years I’ve sort of wasted not enjoying it… every other week there’s a new opportunity.” (28:03)

• Ajla on Beating Serena Williams:
  “My time in the history books lasted four years. I’ll take it.” (32:50)
  “I just played probably the most measured match mentally in my career.” (33:39)

• On Sabalenka:
  “It was just… even if she misses two balls, she keeps going the same way after it… it’s the champion’s mentality, the belief never wavers.” (41:53)

• On the Changing Game:
  “I do feel like the level has definitely gotten stronger.” – Kim Clijsters (51:47)

• Ajla on Chris Evert:
  “She’s a savage… She’ll tell you straight, which I love.” (24:27)

Notable Timestamps

• 11:16 – Ajla joins, details on her schedule and injuries
• 15:17 – Playing under the Australian flag
• 19:17 – Her relationship with her dad and coaching dynamic
• 23:07 – Friendship and mentorship with Chris Evert
• 25:28 – Wimbledon breakthrough and changing relationship with grass
• 32:50 – Reflection on beating Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open
• 37:37 – Navigating public relationships and breakups in the tennis world
• 41:46 – Ajla’s rapid-fire insights on Sabalenka, Gauff, Samsonova
• 56:17 – On prize money growth and opportunities in women’s tennis
• 59:14 – Heartfelt tribute to Kim Clijsters

Episode Tone & Style

Conversational, honest, and filled with warmth, this episode blends candid admissions about the pressures and joys of pro tennis with technical insight and plenty of humor. Ajla Tomljanovic is open about her doubts, dreams, and the difficult transitions that define a top athlete's career, while the hosts keep the energy lively and relatable for fans and listeners alike.

Perfect for listeners seeking:

• Behind-the-scenes tennis stories,
• Tactical insights from active pros,
• Reflections on women’s tennis progress,
• The human stories that shape competitors and champions.