World-Class Test for Janice Tjen, From Star-Studded Auckland to Hobart

The 2026 season hasn't truly given Janice Tjen breathing room. After her campaign ended at the ASB Classic Auckland in both singles and doubles, the Indonesian Tennis Player immediately entered the WTA 250 Hobart International in Tasmania.

This tournament serves as a warm-up for the Australian Open, a test for players wanting to gauge themselves at the highest level.

Janice, partnering with Caty McNally, was originally scheduled to play the Auckland doubles semifinal against second seeds Kristina Mladenovic/Guo Hanyu. However, that match never took place.

Quoted from the official WTA website, the semifinal was automatically won by Mladenovic/Guo as Janice/Caty withdrew (walkover).

In singles, Janice also exited early. The sixth seed lost a tight three-set battle against Sonay Kartal, 1-6, 7-6(4), 3-6. That result closed her journey in New Zealand.

The 23-year-old Jakarta-born player then entered the main draw of the WTA 250 Hobart. The tournament will run from January 12–17, 2026. 

There, Janice will share the court with Elise Mertens, a two-time Hobart Champion (2017, 2018) and finalist in the last two editions. 

The Belgian player holds a 22-4 record at this tournament and is the top seed.

Not only that, this year's Hobart will also feature 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, and Barbora Krejcikova, the 2021 Roland Garros and 2024 Wimbledon champion. 

Raducanu is the second-highest ranked player in the draw, at world No. 29.

This means Hobart isn't just another tournament for Janice, but a world-class test.

However, Janice arrives with credentials. In doubles, she will partner with Katarzyna Piter. This duo won the WTA 250 Guangzhou title in October 2025. Their chemistry is proven at tour level.

Besides Janice, Indonesia is also represented by Aldila Sutjiadi. She partners again with Giuliana Olmos in doubles, an experienced combination on fast courts.

For Janice, the journey from a walkover in Auckland to the star-studded stage in Hobart is a true portrait of life on the WTA Tour. There's no long break to dwell on results, because the next challenge always awaits.