Jarmila Gajdosova (formerly Jarmila Groth) has reacted angrily to suggestions that her recently-ended marriage to Sam Groth was motivated because of a desire to obtain Australian citizenship.
"To people who say bad things about me: I didn't need get married to become aussie citizen-check the facts... and check the law!" Gajdosova wrote on her Twitter account. "I got married because I loved sam and did it from my heart not because I am from poor country or I need it him for passport!"
Born in Slovakia, Gajdosova approached Tennis Australia about representing the country in 2004 or 2005. She established a base in Australia and applied for citizenship in 2007, the same year she began dating Groth. The couple married in February 2009, with Gadjosova becoming an Australian citizen in November of that year.
Gajdosova and fellow naturalized Australian Anastasia Rodionova both experienced delays in the citizenship process because traveling on the circuit prevented them from meeting residency requirements that they be present in Australia for nine months of the year.
Gajdosova turned 24 on Tuesday. "Thank you all for your support and birthday wishes," she added. "...its hard time but will be ok."