Rising Jakarta-born star ends 28-year drought with stunning Melbourne upset
History returned to Indonesian tennis in Melbourne as a new generation announced itself on the Grand Slam stage.
Historic Win Ends 28-Year Drought
Janice Tjen achieved a landmark moment for Indonesian tennis on Tuesday, Jan 20, becoming the first Indonesian woman in 28 years to win a match at the Australian Open. The 23-year-old defeated Canada’s 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 (7-1), advancing to the second round in Melbourne.
Dominant Start Against Higher-Ranked Opponent
Unseeded and ranked world number 59, Tjen made a lightning start by wrapping up the first set in just 36 minutes. Her aggressive baseline play immediately unsettled Fernandez, the 2021 US Open runner-up, who struggled to find rhythm against Tjen’s pace and confidence.
Mental Strength in a Tight Second Set
Tjen broke early in the second set and showed composure under pressure, notably holding serve in a pivotal fourth game to go up 3-1. Fernandez responded with three straight games to regain momentum, pushing the match into a tense tiebreak that tested both players’ resolve.
Clinical Finish Under Grand Slam Pressure
In the tiebreak, Tjen elevated her game, racing to a 3-0 lead and maintaining control until sealing victory. Her roar of triumph echoed the significance of the moment, marking the first Indonesian Australian Open singles win since Yayuk Basuki in 1998.
Rapid Rise Through the WTA Ranks
Tjen’s success caps a remarkable rise over the past year. Ranked just 413 at the same time last year, she has climbed swiftly into the world’s top 60. Her breakthrough 2025 season included a surprise win over Russia’s 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova at the US Open.
Rewriting Indonesian Tennis History
The Jakarta native also made history in New York as the first Indonesian to feature in a Grand Slam singles main draw since 2004. Her momentum continued with a title win in Chennai last year, making her the first Indonesian to claim a WTA Tour singles crown since 2002.
Janice Tjen’s Australian Open victory signals a revival moment for Indonesian tennis, proving that sustained investment and international exposure can produce world-class results. Her rise resonates strongly across Southeast Asia, inspiring young athletes in Indonesia and neighboring Singapore to believe that Grand Slam success is once again within reach.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , CNA (2026)
Keywords: Janice Tjen, Australian Open 2026, Indonesian Tennis Player, Leylah Fernandez, WTA Tour
