Tjen Breaks 28-Year Drought, Wins Historic Indonesian Title at Australian Open

Unseeded Indonesian tennis player Tjen achieved a significant milestone at the Australian Open by defeating Canada’s 22nd seed, Leylah Fernandez, with a score of 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). This victory propels Tjen, currently ranked 59th in the world, into the second round. Remarkably, she is the first Indonesian player to win a match at a Grand Slam since Yayuk Basuki in 1998.

Tjen’s Historic Win

Tjen expressed her joy at making history for Indonesia, stating, “I’m very happy to be a part of history.” The 23-year-old conveyed how special it was to have her family and many Indonesian supporters present during her match.

Match Highlights

• Tjen captured the first set in just 36 minutes.
• She secured an early break in the second set, putting pressure on Fernandez.
• After a tense second set, Tjen led the tiebreak 3-0 and maintained her advantage to clinch victory.

This victory marks a turning point in Tjen’s career. Just last year, she ranked 413th but has made remarkable strides since then. Her breakthrough year came in 2025 when she shocked the tennis world by defeating 24th seed Veronika Kudermetova at the US Open. This made her the first Indonesian in nearly two decades to participate in the main singles draw at a Grand Slam.

Support from Fans

The atmosphere in Melbourne was electric, with supporters waving the Indonesian flag and chanting enthusiastically. Tjen remarked, “It’s something special and feels a little bit like home.” The presence of her fans added to the significance of her win, showing the growing support for tennis in Indonesia.

New Beginnings

Tjen’s achievements have not gone unnoticed. She enjoyed increased recognition, stating she has begun to feel the change in her life off the court since her rise in 2025. In addition to her recent victory, she won a WTA Tour title in Chennai last year, marking her as the first Indonesian to do so since 2002.

Tjen’s historic win at the Australian Open not only highlights her talent but also represents a significant moment for Indonesian tennis.