‘Don’t Come for Me’: 24-Year-Old Australian WTA Star Dishes Out Honest Reaction After Absurd Comparisons With Naomi Osaka….
In the world of tennis, comparisons between rising stars and established champions are commonplace. However, when the comparisons are seen as unmerited or even absurd, it’s important to understand how athletes navigate such expectations and responses. Recently, one such star—24-year-old Australian tennis player Ajla Tomljanović—found herself in the crosshairs of public scrutiny, following comparisons drawn between her and Naomi Osaka, one of the sport’s most celebrated figures. Tomljanović’s reaction to these comparisons was nothing short of candid and honest, revealing her strong stance on how she believes athletes should be perceived and the importance of individuality in the sport.
The Naomi Osaka Comparisons
Ajla Tomljanović, a rising star on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour, has carved out her own identity as a competitive and hard-hitting player. While she has certainly made a name for herself with standout performances, including strong runs in Grand Slam tournaments, her career trajectory hasn’t yet reached the same level of global prominence as some of her contemporaries.
Enter Naomi Osaka, a player who has transcended tennis with her cultural significance, mental health advocacy, and two Australian Open titles to her name. Osaka, a Japanese-Haitian player, burst onto the scene with her aggressive style and poised demeanor, quickly becoming one of the most marketable and recognized athletes in the world. As a result, it’s no surprise that Tomljanović, despite being a skilled and accomplished player in her own right, was drawn into some ill-advised comparisons with Osaka.
The comparison is largely based on the fact that both players share a similar age group and both have faced significant challenges in their careers, whether it be on-court pressure or dealing with mental health issues. However, the comparisons were met with resistance from Tomljanović, who felt that it was not only unfair but also reductive to liken herself to someone with Osaka’s established legacy.
Tomljanović’s Honest Response
In a recent interview, Tomljanović addressed the constant comparisons to Osaka in a straightforward manner. She was vocal about her feelings, emphasizing the importance of recognizing each player as an individual rather than reducing them to being “the next this” or “the next that.” Her words were blunt, as she asserted, “Don’t come for me when it comes to comparisons. I’m doing my thing, and I’m proud of who I am as a player.” This statement encapsulated her frustration with being boxed into comparisons that ignored her unique identity and journey in the sport.
For Tomljanović, the issue wasn’t necessarily about Osaka’s legacy or achievements; rather, it was about the broader tendency of media and fans to focus on one player as a reference point for others. She felt that the continuous comparisons not only set an unrealistic standard but also overlooked the complexities of an athlete’s individual path.
“People don’t understand what it takes to be where you are, to get where you’re going, and how everyone has their own story,” Tomljanović explained. “Naomi Osaka is an incredible player, but I am not Naomi Osaka. I want people to appreciate me for who I am, not because I’m some version of someone else.”
The Pressure of Comparisons
The issue of unfair comparisons isn’t unique to Tomljanović or even tennis. Across all sports, athletes often find themselves weighed down by expectations placed upon them by fans, media, and even sponsors. These comparisons can be mentally and emotionally draining, especially when they come from people who fail to appreciate the differences between athletes’ playing styles, mental fortitude, and personal backgrounds.
In Tomljanović’s case, the pressure is compounded by the fact that she has spent much of her career in the shadow of players like Osaka, who have reached far more significant heights in terms of both title wins and global recognition. However, Tomljanović has made it clear that she is carving her own path and is determined to be remembered for her own accomplishments rather than through the lens of another player’s success.
Her statements reflect a broader desire to break free from the “next big thing” narrative that often dominates sports culture. Rather than trying to replicate the achievements of others, Tomljanović’s focus is on continuing to improve her own game and on earning recognition for her unique contributions to the sport.
Navigating Mental Health in the Spotlight
Both Tomljanović and Osaka have been vocal about the mental health challenges they’ve faced as professional athletes. For Osaka, these struggles became a focal point when she withdrew from the 2021 French Open, citing her mental health as the reason. Similarly, Tomljanović has discussed the emotional toll of being constantly in the public eye, dealing with expectations, and managing the pressures that come with competing at the highest level.
By drawing attention to these shared experiences, Tomljanović made it clear that comparisons based solely on mental health or struggles do not do justice to the unique circumstances each player faces. “It’s easy for people to take one story and put it on everyone else,” she said, adding that every player deals with different challenges and that each journey in tennis is incredibly personal.
While the pressure to succeed in tennis is immense, Tomljanović remains resolute in her belief that being true to herself is the best way to navigate the demands of her career.
Looking Ahead
Despite her frustrations with being compared to Osaka, Tomljanović remains one of the most promising talents in women’s tennis. She has demonstrated great resilience in her career and has shown the world that she is capable of competing at the highest levels, including her impressive performances in major tournaments. As she continues to develop as a player, Tomljanović’s main focus is on creating her own legacy, one that is built on her hard work, skill, and unique personality.
The tennis world has a long history of players carving out their own identities. Whether it’s Serena Williams’ dominance, Simona Halep’s consistency, or Venus Williams’ trailblazing spirit, each player has their own story to tell. Ajla Tomljanović, while acknowledging the significance of players like Naomi Osaka, is intent on telling hers on her own terms.
In the end, the tennis community—and the world at large—can only benefit by respecting each player’s individuality and understanding that comparisons, no matter how well-meaning, fail to appreciate the nuances that make each athlete special.
