'Tennis is the love of my life': Garland's rise born from love of game
Joanna Garland's electric form on the ITF World Tennis Tour in recent years has certainly caught the eye.
The 23-year-old, who grew up in Stevenage before moving to Chinese Taipei at the age of 10, has racked up 16 ITF singles titles so far in her professional career and qualified for her first Grand Slam this year at Roland Garros, where she reached the second round.
With four tournament wins to her name already in 2025, she currently sits joint-third for the most titles won on the 2025 ITF World Tennis Tour - a tour, and a pathway, that has played a crucial role in helping her climb to a new career-best ranking over the past month.
"It’s been great," said the world No. 134. "I really have nothing bad to say about the World Tennis Tour - the structure, the system.
"I started out playing when I was 13, and I think the junior structure is really good. The amount of countries that host ITF Junior tournaments, I think it’s very well spread out.
"There are so many playing opportunities for kids and I definitely benefitted from that."
Garland, who reached as high No. 14 in the ITF Junior rankings, feels that the ITF pathway has been vital for her development.
"When you come through that system - if you do well as a junior - it gives you so much confidence. It separates you from the kids that haven't come through that system.
"You go into Pros with that little belief that 'okay, I've been top in the world in my age group, I can carry on with that'."
The World Tennis Tour, with over 1200 tournaments for men and women across 70 countries, provides widespread opportunity for up-and-coming players to hone their craft.
"The access to tournaments is very spread out, nicely world-wide. Obviously some more remote places, but a lot of opportunities for players," said Garland. "I really enjoy it."
With tournaments on the World Tennis Tour taking place at W15, W35, W50, W75 and W100 level - and competition fierce at every level - it can often be a tough world for players to make their breakthrough.
"Obviously as a player you want to be better, and you want to be ranked higher," said Garland. "There's great competition throughout all levels and there always will be competition no matter what rank I am."
Garland notes that there is an enormous range of players competing, many at different stages of their careers and tennis development.
"A lot of girls that have had success, top 100, now they're in their 30s and they've had a few injuries but they're still playing," said Garland. "If the ITF World Tennis Tour was not good, they would not play those tournaments because they know what it's like to play the big events and they're happy to come down and play lower-level events and that's great
"I enjoy it. If I didn't enjoy it, I probably wouldn't do it."
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Since winning her first title in 2020 at W15 Sharm El Sheikh, Garland has continued to raise her game - winning multiple titles at W15 and W35 level.
"I would want to play up or win bigger events, but the level at 15s and 35s is good," said the 23-year-old. "Sometimes I've had really good experiences with tournament organisation at lower events as well. Solarino [where she won back-to-back W35 titles this March] was great, and some of the people I’ve met in Sharm were really nice.
"It’s good fun and it’s all part of it."
Garland's impressive title haul is combined with her ability to be a threat on all surfaces - having won on hard courts, grass, carpet and most recently clay.
"I've never really struggled with switching surfaces - I don’t mind playing on any surface," she said. "I'm able to hit a big, flat ball that can sweep through the court but I’m also able to play with the height and use the wrist a bit and create angles."
After winning her first clay court titles this season with back-to-back triumphs at W35 Nairobi in January, Garland carried her strong form on the surface into Roland Garros where she qualified for her first Grand Slam, and then went on to win her first round match against American Katie Volynets.
"I feel comfortable on clay," she admitted. "Paris gave me so much confidence on it, but I've always felt comfortable being on clay and I get a bit more time on the ball. It really helps my kick serve, I can play a spinny, heavy forehand."
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Garland has represented Chinse Taipei throughout her career - including on big stages such as at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and the Billie Jean King Cup.
Given that it is a country that isn't especially known as a hotbed for emerging tennis talent, it matters a great deal to the 23-year-old to represent them at a high level.
"It means a lot to me," said Garland. "When I first started playing I was living in Taiwan and training there. Those years that I spent there have really contributed to being where I am right now. So many lovely people that have supported me on the way."
"We’re not a country that typically produces a lot of players - I'm proud to be able to put Taiwan on the map and have more people hear about it."
Despite being early on in her career, Garland has already made some incredible memories - including plenty on the World Tennis Tour.
"When I won my first tournament in Solarino, I'd managed to back up my win in Kayseri [the previous week]," said Garland. "We had so much rain that week it was ridiculous. I think first match I was 5-1 down in the set and we then had a rain delay, and I came back and won it."
"Then I won the next set 6-0. For the finals day, I played semis and finals back-to-back and then after I won that I thought what have I just done?"
This was during a remarkable run of form in 2024 in which she won 29 matches in a row and five consecutive titles at W35 Kayseri, W35 Solarino (x2), W15 Sharm El Sheikh and W35 Sharm El Sheikh.
Away from tennis and training, Garland enjoys the quieter side of life - reading, phone calls with mum, and having time to herself.
"I've been trying to get into watching some other sports lately, but nothing can compare with watching tennis. It really is the love of my life."
Garland's love for tennis is evident in the passion she shows on court, and in the way she speaks of her experiences.
Now a match winner at Grand Slam level, it will be exciting to see what comes next.
To keep up with the latest results on the ITF World Tennis Tour, click here.