The very best-ranked singles participant on the Australian Billie Jean King Cup staff, Kim Birrell doesn’t wish to put any limits on herself as she continues her upward trajectory in 2025.
Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 5 April 2025 | Matt Trollope
Again in Brisbane after a profitable stint in the US, nationwide illustration is top-of-mind for Kimberly Birrell.
Sitting at a career-high rating of world No.62, Birrell was joined by her Australian teammates on the Queensland Tennis Centre as preparations start for subsequent week’s Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers spherical.
Australia hosts Kazakhstan and Colombia at Pat Rafter Area from 10-12 April, with the successful nation progressing to the Finals in Shenzhen, China later this season.
OFFICIAL PROGRAM: Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers (AUS-COL-KAZ)
It’s a venue that holds good vitality for Birrell; earlier this 12 months it was the place she stormed into the quarterfinals of the Brisbane Worldwide, her finest consequence at WTA 500 stage.
Starting that event ranked world No.113, she jumped to 99th after that run, and has saved on rising.
“Prime 100 we get in our heads fairly a bit about it, so to get by way of that quantity and to do it right here in Brissy in entrance of my family and friends, it was much more particular than I may have even imagined,” stated Birrell, who has constructed a formidable 20-6 win-loss document this 12 months.
“However to get by way of it and type of smash by way of it and never simply stick round that 100 quantity and actually cement myself into that prime 100, that’s been an enormous purpose of mine.
“I don’t wish to restrict myself to 60, or perhaps a quantity – I wish to hold pushing and carry on this trajectory that I’m on.”
TICKETS: Get tickets to the Billie Jean King Cup through Ticketmaster
Birrell received seven of her 10 matches in the US, successful her first spherical in Austin then qualifying for the principle attracts at WTA 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, progressing to the second spherical at each.
She in the end fell to No.28 seed Elise Mertens at Indian Wells and twenty third seed Marta Kostyuk in Miami – however not earlier than pushing each to the restrict.
Hitting with Storm Hunter and Emerson Jones on Saturday in Brisbane, Birrell gave the impression to be hanging a noticeably greater ball from the baseline than this time final 12 months.
It was one thing Australian staff captain Sam Stosur confirmed from her court-side vantage level, and one thing Birrell believes had stemmed from her rising expertise competing on the highest stage.
“I feel when you simply really feel the kind of ball that the highest girls hit, it’s undoubtedly getting greater, sooner, and much more spin. I’m glad that I feel I’ve been capable of really feel that after which implement that into my very own sport,” Birrell stated.
“I’m feeling so good. I’m actually having fun with each time I step out on the courtroom [that] what I’m practising on the courtroom I really feel so clear about, and it’s simply the perfect feeling whenever you step out within the match and people issues that you just’ve been working so arduous on begin to come by way of.
“And to have lots of good outcomes towards high quality gamers, and to be somewhat bit extra constant, I feel it’s a results of lots of arduous work and a very long time coming.
“I’m tremendous pleased with the hassle that I’ve put in to get right here, and hopefully I can proceed it so long as attainable.”
TIE INFORMATION: Australia – Colombia – Kazakhstan
It might imply much more to Birrell to proceed it on house soil in Brisbane, the place she expressed her pleasure at having the gang assist and venue familiarity.
Having overcome a number of accidents, and managed the frustration and impatience that got here along with her momentum being stalled, Birrell has constructed a terrific staff round her – which incorporates Nicole Pratt, the Australian Billie Jean King Cup staff coach – and continues to profit from the arrogance she gained from that decisive week on the Brisbane Worldwide.
“I completely cherish these weeks, simply spending time with the women – clearly with tennis being a person sport it’s simply so enjoyable to be in a staff surroundings,” she stated.
“My family and friends are going to be within the crowd. Irrespective of who performs, we’re going to be having the perfect time and preventing our hearts out.”
Australia faces Kazakhstan on 10 April and Colombia on 12 April at Pat Rafter Area. Get your tickets through Ticketmaster and comply with the motion on 9Gem and 9Now.
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