Power couple Tomljanovic and Berrettini on the pressure of competition: "I know her, and I think I know how much she's tough on herself"

It's been an up-and-down season for Ajla Tomljanovic, but mentally, she hasn't been as up-and-down about her performances.

According to both Tomljanovic and her boyfriend—and fellow pro—Matteo Berrettini, that's part of why she's enjoying one of her best seasons. The 28-year-old Australian reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon, the third round of the US Open, and is ranked No. 47—not far returning back into the Top 40 for the first time in two years.

This week at Indian Wells, she defeated No. 6 Garbine Muguruza and is into the fourth round, where she'll face Angelique Kerber.

"I think what's been really helpful this year is I've just accepted that whatever happens happens, and I have to move on and then try again," she told press. "I don't try to dwell on the past or on the losses too long. Every tournament I take just as a new tournament. Happy to be even able to play."

That's not something the former top junior has always found easy.

"The competitiveness and the losses sometimes get a little heavy," she said. "Just simplifying it, always moving forward, learning from it, that's what kind of keeps me going."

Berrettini agrees. Often courtside for her matches, the 25-year-old Italian can look nervous watching her play, but says he encourages her to be more positive about her performances.

"I know her, and I think I know how much she's tough on herself," he said following his opening-round win in California. "I'm always telling her that she has to kind of tell herself that she achieved a lot during her career, and she has to enjoy what she's doing.

"The fact that she did quarterfinals in Wimby, third round in US Open, it's not something that it's normal because she never did it, and I think it's important for a player to recognize that, to feel good about it. So I think it's good to feel bad in the bad moments, but it's worth it to feel good when the things are going well. So that's what I'm telling her.”

The big-hitting Berrettini is ranked No. 7 and having a breakthrough himself this season, reaching his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon. He has also won two titles and showed his versatility by reaching the final of the clay Masters event in Madrid.

He notes he had less pressure coming up than Tomljanovic, who began competing on tour in her teens.

"I grew up with more calm, and I didn't see like in my career such a big jump like I did, and I was working for it, but I didn't know it would happen," Berrettini said. "Sometimes when you put too much pressure it can happen, you're thinking too much. This sport sometimes you don't have to think too much.

"But I think what [Ajla is] doing is great. She's close to her best ranking. She's working hard. She is a competitor. She really likes to play. I really think that she's gonna get even better."