Ajla Tomljanović says opponents want to avoid her early in Australian Open

A day out from the Australian Open draw, Ajla Tomljanović has the same quiet wish that a few rivals have about her.

As a wildcard entry, the 31-year-old Australian knows full well she may be handed a brutal round-one assignment.

But after making three grand slam quarterfinals, Tomljanović reckons she is also a less-than-ideal opponent for the start of next week.

"I've proven over the years that seeding doesn't matter and slams are such a special place where anything can happen from round one," she said.

"I have a feeling that some players maybe don't want to play me [in the] first round, and I like coming into an event feeling like that.

"There are 127 options and there are a couple that you are [thinking], 'Ooh, hopefully not those ones first round,' just to get my footing.

"At the same time, I've done this so many times and I've been not seeded most of my career, so I know what I'm in for."

But the key for Tomljanović is that she is ready. And a nagging knee injury is not helping.

Ajla Tomljanović has reached the US Open quarterfinal during her career. (Getty Images: Jamie Squire)

She was forced to pull out of the Brisbane and Hobart tournaments ahead of the Open because of the problem.

Tomljanović then lost to American Ashlyn Krueger on Saturday at the Adelaide International.

"I'm thrilled to be here. Even though my prep maybe wasn't ideal … I still got to play Adelaide," she said.

"I do feel really good about coming into next week. I had some really good practice going, the last couple of weeks.

"It's the beginning of the year, so if I don't get as many matches as I would have wanted it's OK because if I'm ready to go on Sunday, I will feel good.

"Having played Adelaide, I was really happy how I pulled up. I played a tough match but good tennis, so I'm excited for Melbourne.

"I really always believe if I'm feeling good physically, the sky's the limit."

ABC Sport Daily podcast ABC Sport Daily is your daily sports conversation. We dive into the biggest story of the day and get you up to speed with everything else that's making headlines.

While Tomljanović has made the last eight at Wimbledon — twice — and the US Open, she has never progressed past the second round at Melbourne Park in nine attempts.

While her home grand slam record is not great, her ambition remains lofty.

"At this point of my career, I always do expect something of myself," she said at a Melbourne promotion for Australian Open sponsor Wilson.

"I try to minimise it as much as possible, just to make it easier for myself. But it's more just the excitement of wanting to do well than the actual expectation.

"If you look at it on paper I don't think I'm meant to go deep, deep here — if you look at how my last years have gone.

"But at the same time I do think I'm capable of a lot, so we'll see."

AAP

Click here to read article