Indonesian Tennis Star Makes History at Australian Open
Janice Tjen became the first Indonesian to win a match at the Australian Open in 28 years, upsetting 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez in straight sets. The 23-year-old's victory adds another milestone to her breakthrough year that's put Indonesian tennis back on the world stage.
When Janice Tjen walked onto the Melbourne court Tuesday, she carried the hopes of an entire nation that hadn't celebrated a win at this tournament since 1998.
The 23-year-old Indonesian didn't just win. She dominated, defeating Canadian 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez 6-2, 7-6 to secure her spot in Australian Open history and the second round.
Just one year ago, Tjen was ranked 413th in the world. Today she's number 59 and making waves at Grand Slam tournaments with fans waving red and white Indonesian flags chanting her name.
"I'm very happy to be a part of history and be able to get a win here for Indonesia," Tjen said after her victory. "It was special, especially being able to do it in front of my family here."
The Jakarta native seized control early, wrapping up the first set in just 36 minutes. When Fernandez fought back in the second set, Tjen stayed calm and powered through a tiebreak to seal the victory with a mighty roar.
The Ripple Effect
Tjen's breakthrough extends far beyond one match in Melbourne. Her rise has reignited tennis passion across Indonesia, where young players now see a path to the sport's biggest stages.
In 2025, she became the first Indonesian to win a WTA Tour singles title since 2002 when she captured the Chennai championship. At the US Open, she upset Russia's 24th seed as a qualifier, marking the first time an Indonesian played in a Grand Slam main singles draw since 2004.
Recognition has come with the success. "I get recognized a little bit here and there and I think it's nice," Tjen said when asked how life has changed off court.
The support in Melbourne created something magical. Indonesian fans packed the stands, creating an atmosphere that felt like home thousands of miles away from Jakarta.
"Knowing that a lot of Indonesians came out to support me today means a lot," she said. Her family and close friends watched from the stands as she added another chapter to her remarkable story.
From world number 413 to history maker in just 12 months, Tjen is showing that dreams paired with determination can reshape what's possible for an entire nation's sporting future.
Based on reporting by The Hindu
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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