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Not many can claim to be blessed by the guidance and mentorship of someone as legendary as Chris Evert. Australian WTA star Ajla Tomljanovic certainly is one of them. The 68-year-old American great has always been there beside Tomljanovic like a pillar of support. It goes without saying that being mentored and tutored by the 18-time grand slam champion and one of the greatest tennis players of all time Chris Evert, has definitely been a great step in the career of Tomljanovic.

And like a true mentor, Chris Evert showed her support to the 30-year-old Aussie after her heartbreaking Wimbledon decision.

Chris Evert shows support for Tomljanovic as she is forced to pull out from Wimbledon

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Ajla Tomljanovic had fairly decent runs at Wimbledon in the past. After making her debut at the All England Club in 2015, she tasted quite a few memorable victories at SWI9. The last 2 editions of Wimbledon in 2021 and 2022 have been the most successful for the Australian, as she made it to the quarterfinals on both occasions. But unfortunately, Tomljanovic won’t be able to take part at Wimbledon this year owing to a persistent knee injury.

The 59th-ranked WTA star took to Twitter to address her withdrawal from the event and her guide Chris Evert was quick to send love and prayers for her. Tomljanovic tweeted, “After experiencing many special emotions and memories in Wimbledon over the last few years I had very high hopes of making my return there this year. Unfortunately, my knee is still asking for just a bit more time before I can have full confidence in it in order to play at my best level. Really eager to get back out there but this year Wimbledon came a bit sooner than I was ready for. I know it will be worth the wait and am already looking forward to next year 🤍😌”.

The camaraderie between the mentor and protege was on full display. Fans got to see more of their relationship in the recently released Netflix tennis docuseries Break Point, where Tomljanovic referred to Evert as her ‘second mother’.

READ MORE: ‘Spent a Lot of Time Building the Sport’ – American Sports Columnist Credits Legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova for Helping Women’s Tennis Be More Than a Mere Shadow of the Men’s Game

Evert’s motherly care for Tomljanovic showcased in Netflix’s Break Point

Part 2 of Netflix’s recently released tennis docuseries Break Point shed more light on the close relationship shared by Chris Evert and Ajla Tomljanovic. The show revealed how Chris Evert went from being a friend to a mentor and then gradually, like a ‘second mother’ to Tomljanovic.

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Evert was the one who guided the Aussie before her high-voltage match against the legendary Serena Williams at the US Open last year and motivated her to eventually get the better of Williams.

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Since Evert has three sons and no daughters, she even referred to Tomljanovic as her only daughter. Tomljanovic can certainly consider herself lucky to get a mother figure and confidante in the form of Chris Evert.

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What do you think of this special bond between Tomljanovic and Chris Evert? Let us know in the comments.

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