Kimberly Birrell has been chosen because the fifth and last member of the Australian Billie Jean King Cup group that can head to Spain to compete within the occasion’s finals subsequent week.
Malaga, Spain, 8 November 2024 | Rhys de Deugd
Set to signify her nation below her function mannequin Sam Stosur for the primary time, Kimberly Birrell is past excited to go to Malaga in Spain for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Stosur has given Birrell the nod after a breakthrough Asian swing that included a maiden WTA last in Osaka in her most profitable week on tour.
The 26-year-old returns to the group after final representing Australia within the 2023 finals within the close by Spanish metropolis of Seville.
It was all the time a serious purpose for Birrell to rejoin the group in Malaga this yr, nevertheless it was key she targeted on controlling her on-court performances, which resulted in a collection of milestones within the again half of the yr.
“I knew that probably that it was on the desk, being within the group, however I used to be actually making an attempt to focus simply on myself and taking every day and every match because it got here,” Birrell mentioned.
“Ever since I used to be a child, representing Australia has all the time been considered one of my No.1 targets in life, and in tennis. Anytime you get the prospect to signify and put on inexperienced and gold, it’s simply so particular.”
> READ MORE: Birrell reaches first tour last, Jones triumphs in China
The Queenslander returns to the Australian group after lacking out on a spot for the house tie in opposition to Mexico in April. It will likely be her first time representing her nation below first-year captain Sam Stosur.
The tie might be additional particular for Birrell, who has identified Stosur since she was dreaming of following in her footsteps as a toddler.
“She’s additionally from the Gold Coast, so she has been an enormous function mannequin for me in my taking part in profession,” she mentioned.
“We chat fairly a bit, so I wasn’t positive if she was going to say something about BJK once I noticed her identify pop up on my cellphone. I used to be nervous and excited. My coronary heart was pounding.
“I’m simply so comfortable and so grateful and grateful that she, and the remainder of the assist employees, imagine in me sufficient to call me.”
>VIEW: Billie Jean King Cup Finals attracts and results
Birrell turns into a part of the group that features Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt, with whom she labored one-on-one throughout her breakthrough week in Osaka.
“I’ve labored with Pratty for a very long time, however having her one-on-one that week was so good. Spending extra time along with her during the last couple months I undoubtedly don’t assume I might have gone as far that week with out her,” Birrell mentioned.
“I did the perfect I might and regardless that I misplaced the ultimate, I’m nonetheless actually happy with how I plaued that week and the way onerous I received my matches.”
Birrell joins Ajla Tomljanovic, Olivia Gadecki, Ellen Perez and Daria Saville on the group, whereas 18-year-old Maya Joint was travelling with them in inexperienced and gold for the primary time as Orange Woman.
“She (Joint) is a tremendous participant, however a good higher individual off the courtroom. She embodies so lots of the qualities the group bases itself round,” Birrell famous.
“She completely deserves it along with her outcomes on courtroom this yr, and I’ve spoken to her since she discovered she was additionally going to Spain, and I do know she’s actually excited.”
Australia will play the winner of the USA and Slovakia within the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals on 17 November.
The tie will kick off at 8pm AEST and might be broadcasted reside on the 9 Community and Stan Sport.
Discover your technique to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
