Janice Tjen has officially arrived on the world stage, and Indonesian tennis fans are buzzing with pride. The 23-year-old Jakarta native made history this week by breaking into the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) top 50, securing the No. 47 spot after a sensational run at the 2026 Australian Open. It’s a leap of 12 places from her previous ranking and a moment that echoes the legacy of Indonesia’s tennis legend, Yayuk Basuki.
For Tjen, the breakthrough came on January 20, 2026, when she delivered a stunning straight-sets victory over Canada’s 22nd seed Leylah Fernandez. The match, played at Melbourne’s iconic ANZ Arena, saw Janice dominate early and hold her nerve in a tense second-set tiebreak, ultimately prevailing 6-2, 7-6 (1) in just over an hour and 40 minutes. With this win, she became the first Indonesian woman since Basuki to win a main-draw match at the Australian Open—a drought that stretched back to 1998.
“I’m very happy to be a part of history and be able to get a win here for Indonesia,” Janice told reporters in her post-match press conference. “I think it was special, especially being able to do it in front of my family here. They're here, and I think there were a lot of Indonesians, and a lot of my close friends are also here.” Her words resonated not only with the Indonesian contingent in the stands but with a nation eager for a new tennis icon.
This Australian Open triumph was more than just a personal milestone—it marked Janice’s second career Grand Slam match win and her first at Melbourne Park, the opening Grand Slam of the season. Her previous Grand Slam appearance came at the 2025 US Open, where she started from the qualifying rounds and managed to reach the second round, defeating Veronika Kudermetova in the first round. This rapid progression underscores her growing presence on the global tennis circuit.
Janice’s rise to the top 50 is not just about this one tournament. The foundation for her ascent was laid in November 2025, when she captured her first WTA title at the WTA 250 Chennai Open in India. That victory made her the first Indonesian woman in over two decades to claim a WTA 250 singles title, joining the exclusive company of Yayuk Basuki, who reached a career-high No. 19 in 1997 and famously advanced to the Wimbledon quarterfinals.
Basuki’s shadow looms large in Indonesian tennis, but Janice is quickly carving out her own path. Born on May 6, 2002, in Jakarta, Janice demonstrated an early aptitude for the sport, competing in junior tournaments before making the leap to the United States. There, she played collegiate tennis for Pepperdine University, reaching the NCAA finals—a notable achievement for any college athlete and a testament to her determination.
Her transition to the professional circuit has been marked by consistency and a knack for big-match performances. By 2025, Janice had compiled an impressive record: 77 victories against just 15 losses. She’s no stranger to the winner’s circle, having claimed multiple international titles, including W15 and W35 tournaments in cities such as Monastir, Wanfercee-Baulet, Antalya, Wellington, Tauranga, Goyang, Andong, Maanshan, Luzhou, Taizhou, and Taipei. Each win added a layer of confidence and experience, setting the stage for her latest achievements.
The significance of Janice’s accomplishment is not lost on Indonesian tennis enthusiasts. She becomes only the second Indonesian player to ever crack the world’s top 50, following in the footsteps of Basuki, whose storied career set the bar for all who followed. Basuki’s run to the Wimbledon quarterfinals and her ascent to the top 20 in the late 1990s inspired a generation, but for years, Indonesia lacked a player capable of reaching such heights—until now.
Janice’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Competing on the international stage means facing top-tier opponents with vastly different playing styles and experience levels. Her ability to adapt and overcome was on full display in Melbourne, where she outplayed the higher-ranked Fernandez and withstood the pressure of a raucous crowd. Her victory sent shockwaves through the draw and announced her as a force to be reckoned with in women’s tennis.
“Janice’s performance was incredible,” one commentator noted during the match broadcast. “She played with poise beyond her years and showed she belongs among the world’s best.” The sentiment was echoed by fans and analysts alike, who praised her aggressive baseline play and mental toughness in high-stakes moments.
Of course, Janice’s rise comes at a time when women’s tennis is as competitive as ever. The 2026 Australian Open saw Elena Rybakina claim the title, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Rybakina’s own ascent—winning 20 of her last 21 matches since October 2024—serves as a reminder of the level Janice must consistently reach to climb even higher in the rankings. Yet, with her current momentum and a growing list of accomplishments, there’s little doubt she’s up to the challenge.
Looking ahead, Janice has set her sights on breaking into the world’s top 20, a goal that seemed distant just a year ago but now appears tantalizingly within reach. Her blend of athleticism, tactical intelligence, and unshakeable resolve has already made her a role model for aspiring athletes in Indonesia and beyond.
As Indonesia celebrates its new tennis star, the comparisons to Yayuk Basuki are inevitable, but Janice is determined to forge her own legacy. “It’s an honor to be mentioned alongside someone like Yayuk,” she said. “But I want to keep working hard and see how far I can go.”
For now, Janice Tjen stands as Indonesia’s brightest tennis prospect, a beacon of hope for a nation eager to return to the upper echelons of the sport. With the season just underway and confidence running high, fans will be watching closely as she continues her remarkable journey on the world stage.
The racket has been passed, the torch is burning bright, and Indonesian tennis has a new hero to cheer for.