Ajla Tomljanovic has identified the key to stepping up as Ash Barty's Wimbledon successor: getting out of her own way.
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Tomljanovic carries the status of Australian women's No.1 in Barty's non-title defence at the All England Club.
It's a huge responsibility, especially for a player who finds it difficult to treat even herself as No.1.
"I'm just going to try my hardest to get to the next round without putting that pressure of being hard on myself because that's what kills me the most," Tomljanovic said ahead of her first-round tussle on Tuesday with 18th seed Jil Teichmann.
"I'm kind of my worst enemy sometimes and that's all I've got out there - myself - and I'm trying to change that and be my own best friend in the moments when I need it."
Tomljanovic enjoyed a breakout run to the quarter-finals last year, eventually falling to Barty, who famously went on to become Australia's first ladies champion at Wimbledon since Evonne Goolagong Cawley in 1980.
Tomljanovic attributes her success to going easier on herself and knows she needs a similar approach to have a chance of an equally memorable campaign in 2022.
"I wasn't in a bad spot last year but I just felt like things weren't really happening," the 29-year-old said.
"I remember thinking, 'You know what, I'm just going to make a go', and I just wanted to win the first round.
"That was my main goal. Once I did that, usually what I do is I want to win the next two and, if I don't do that, it's disappointment.
"It's just believing that I can do it without thinking about the result, which is very hard to do."
Tomljanovic has never played Teichmann, a southpaw from Switzerland on the rise herself.
"She's having a great year and a leftie is always tricky on the grass," Tomljanovic said.
"I don't have any lefties lined up (for practice) until Monday or Tuesday so I'm going to have to deal with it once I get on court and I'm just excited to get going.
"I have so many special memories. Last year was just proof that great things can happen if you just play well and don't give up and keep going.
"So I'm going to try to have the same tactic for this year.
"Knowing I had a good run and had my best run was here last year I'm just trying to draw upon the positives.
"I'm just going to try to help myself as much as I can."
Australian Associated Press
