Kimberly Birrell has been chosen because the fifth and remaining member of the Australian Billie Jean King Cup crew that can head to Spain to compete within the occasion’s finals subsequent week.
Malaga, Spain, 8 November 2024 | Rhys de Deugd
Set to characterize her nation beneath her position mannequin Sam Stosur for the primary time, Kimberly Birrell is past excited to move 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 remaining in Osaka in her most profitable week on tour.
The 26-year-old returns to the crew 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 crew in Malaga this 12 months, however it was key she centered on controlling her on-court performances, which resulted in a sequence of milestones within the again half of the 12 months.
“I knew that probably that it was on the desk, being within the crew, however I used to be actually attempting to focus simply on myself and taking every day and every match because it got here,” Birrell stated.
“Ever since I used to be a child, representing Australia has all the time been one in every of my No.1 objectives in life, and in tennis. Anytime you get the possibility to characterize and put on inexperienced and gold, it’s simply so particular.”
> READ MORE: Birrell reaches first tour remaining, Jones triumphs in China
The Queenslander returns to the Australian crew after lacking out on a spot for the house tie towards Mexico in April. Will probably be her first time representing her nation beneath first-year captain Sam Stosur.
The tie will probably be further 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 position mannequin for me in my enjoying profession,” she stated.
“We chat fairly a bit, so I wasn’t positive if she was going to say something about BJK once I noticed her title pop up on my cellphone. I used to be nervous and excited. My coronary heart was pounding.
“I’m simply so completely happy and so grateful and grateful that she, and the remainder of the assist employees, consider in me sufficient to call me.”
>VIEW: Billie Jean King Cup Finals attracts and results
Birrell turns into a part of the crew 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 over the past couple months I undoubtedly don’t suppose I might have gone as far that week with out her,” Birrell stated.
“I did one of the best I might and regardless that I misplaced the ultimate, I’m nonetheless actually pleased with how I plaued that week and the way exhausting I received my matches.”
Birrell joins Ajla Tomljanovic, Olivia Gadecki, Ellen Perez and Daria Saville on the crew, whereas 18-year-old Maya Joint was travelling with them in inexperienced and gold for the primary time as Orange Lady.
“She (Joint) is an incredible participant, however a good higher particular person off the courtroom. She embodies so most of the qualities the crew bases itself round,” Birrell famous.
“She completely deserves it along with her outcomes on courtroom this 12 months, and I’ve spoken to her since she came upon 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 will probably be broadcasted reside on the 9 Community and Stan Sport.
Discover your method to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!
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