After breaking into the world’s high 100, Kimberly Birrell is set to maintain climbing the WTA Tour singles rankings.
Brisbane, Australia, 28 September 2023 | Leigh Rogers
Kimberly Birrell achieved a long-held aim this month, breaking into the world’s high 100 in singles.
But the 25-year-old from the Gold Coast described the foremost profession milestone as “somewhat bit anticlimactic”.
“Once I thought of cracking the highest 100 up to now, I assumed it was going to be some large second the place I received a extremely shut match and ended up going actually far into the highest 100,” Birrell informed tennis.com.au.
“In actuality, I used to be simply on vacation with my household.
“(However) I truly suppose it was form of excellent that I received to spend it with them. They’ve made so many sacrifices for me over time.”
Birrell had joined her household on a New Zealand getaway to unwind after spending six months competing overseas.
Highlights of that journey, which was the longest of Birrell’s profession, included making main-draw debuts at Roland Garros and the US Open, in addition to successful an ITF title in Portugal.
Kimberly Birrell competing on the 2023 US Open. Image: Getty Photos
After advancing to the semifinals at an ITF 100 event in Tokyo, Birrell flew to Queenstown to affix her household on holidays. This included a quick stopover in Brisbane.
“Touchdown in Brisbane was simply the weirdest feeling, I needed to go dwelling so badly,” she stated.
Birrell realized of her impending top-100 debut by means of pals whereas in New Zealand, however didn’t instantly share the information along with her household.
Her mom, Ros, found the information by checking the dwell rankings late on a Sunday night time, hours earlier than the official WTA Tour rankings had been launched.
“(My mum) truly known as me from the subsequent room at 11.30pm, which was tremendous uncommon. I assumed one thing was improper. I known as her again and was like ‘are you okay?’,” Birrell associated.
“She was like ‘you’re going to be within the high 100!’
“Once I stated I had discovered that morning, she was truly form of irritated at me that I didn’t say something. However I assume I didn’t totally grasp what an achievement it was.”
Birrell opted to not return dwelling after Wimbledon, as an alternative staying on the street hoping to earn sufficient rating factors to crack the world’s high 100 and obtain direct entry into the US Open.
“When it got here time to resolve to come back dwelling after Wimbledon or not, that aim was actually on the high of my thoughts,” she defined.
“I additionally seemed on the value of flights and there have been so many different issues that additionally contributed to that call. I used to be actually lucky to be travelling with my coach and a few members of the family, so I form of felt like I may preserve going with out burning myself out, so I simply tacked on a couple of extra tournaments.
“Sadly, I didn’t find yourself moving into the US Open most important draw on my rating. However that’s the way in which tennis goes. I did win a few matches in qualifying although, then ended up getting a fortunate loser spot. So it’s humorous how issues work out.”
> LISTEN: Kimberly Birrell on The AO Present podcast
Birrell is now again on the Gold Coast for a coaching block earlier than heading to tournaments in Asia.
“I used to be actually eager to come back dwelling and see my canine, that was the principle factor,” she stated.
“Additionally to get a espresso from my favorite café and see all my family and friends who I hadn’t seen for six months.”
Birrell additionally made time this week to encourage the subsequent era of stars on the inaugural Tennis Australia Expertise Mix in Brisbane, the place she admits it felt unusual to be launched as Australia’s top-ranked lady.
“It’s an attention-grabbing feeling,” she stated. “I really feel like Ajla (Tomljanovic) and Dasha (Saville) are forward of me nonetheless, it’s simply due to the harm struggles they’ve had during the last 12 months, so it doesn’t actually really feel like I’m the No.1.
“However I assume I’m simply making an attempt to take it in my stride and actually get pleasure from it, as a result of I do know it’s actually cool. As a child it was one thing I grew up dreaming about.
“I’m actually glad that Ajla and Dasha are again enjoying and hopefully we’re all nearing our career-high rankings tremendous quickly.”
Birrell is set to proceed constructing on her personal career-best season, focusing on new rating highs within the coming weeks.
“I’ve much more targets I’d like to realize, however I really feel like I’m actually on my method,” she stated.
“I’m feeling actually constructive concerning the 12 months that I’ve had … however now that I’ve had somewhat little bit of a style, I actually need extra. I’m hoping to essentially launch myself into the highest 100 by the top of the 12 months.”
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