Ajla Tomljanovic to miss 'a couple of weeks' after having surgery to remove uterine fibroids

Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic is set to miss "a few weeks" of action after having surgery to remove uterine fibroids. The 30-year-old three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist revealed the news in a social media post on Tuesday, and it was met with a wave of supportive messages from her peers.

'Was very much looking forward to the next hard court events," Tomljanovic wrote alongside a picture of her in a hospital bed. "I had to get some uterine fibroids removed and will be watching from home while healing. Will be back soon.'

The medical procedure the latest health-related setback for the former world No. 32, who missed nearly nine months last year after knee surgery. That hiatus came after a career year for Tomljanovic in 2022, chronicled in the first season of Netflix's "Break Point" tennis docuseries, in which she reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon and the US Open. She returned to competition at the US Open last summer, where she beat Hungary's Panna Udvardy in the first round before giving Elena Rybakina a walkover in the second round.

Currently ranked No. 221, Tomljanovic went 2-5 to start the year, including a second-round showing at the Australian Open. Last week, she lost 6-3, 6-0 to Hungary's Dalma Galfi in the first round in Hua Hin.

Tomljanovic received not only received supportive messages from players including Kim Cljisters, Caroline Garcia, Ons Jabeur and Sloane Stephens, but also from comedian Chelsea Handler.

American Jennifer Brady, herself having recently announced another extended hiatus as a result of a second knee operation, opted for a light-hearted note. "Still looking flawless even on a day of surgery," the 2021 Australian Open finalist wrote.

The Croatian-born Aussie signed off by using her platform to advocate for women's health, linking to a page on the official website for the U.S. Cleveland Clinic where visitors can learn more about fibroid tumors.

"Also attaching a link for all my girlies and men (too) who want to (should) learn more," she wrote.