Departing Billie Jean King Cup staff captain Alicia Molik gave the job every part she had for a decade, and predicts a brand new era will assist Australian tennis flourish.
Seville, Spain, 11 November 2023 | Ian Chadband (AAP)
Alicia Molik has bowed out as nationwide ladies’s staff chief, declaring that she gave the job every part she had for a decade – and predicting {that a} new era will assist tennis flourish in Australia.
The 42-year-old former participant has been a preferred determine along with her staff as Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup captain over a decade, as evidenced at this week’s event in Seville because the world’s No.1 doubles participant Storm Hunter was left tearful whereas paying tribute to her.
Molik’s Hunter-inspired facet simply missed out on qualifying for the semifinals in Spain – a uncommon disappointment for Molik, who guided Australia to 2 finals throughout a reign persistently marked by her cajoling groups to be greater than the sum of their elements.
“Ladies’s tennis in Australia has been, from a staff’s perspective, in a very robust place,” mirrored Adelaide’s Molik on her time on the helm after she bowed out with one last victory over Kazakhstan on Friday.
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“Within the final 10 years, we went from having a No.4 on this planet in Sam Stosur to a No.1 in singles in Ash Barty, who began and completed her profession underneath my tenure.
“Now now we have one other No.1 in Storm Hunter (in doubles), and Ellen (Perez) has hit one of many highest factors in her doubles profession (at world No.17) as nicely. It’s in an extremely wholesome spot.”
The present singles world rankings could not counsel that, with no Australian lady within the prime 100, however stalwarts Daria Saville and Ajla Tomljanovic have had injury-hammered years and there are 9 gamers ranked between 100 and 210, whereas Molik is especially energised by the junior expertise rising.
She talked about no names, however likely was pondering of gamers like Emerson Jones, the 15-year-old Gold Coast participant who final month in Osaka grew to become the youngest woman from Australia to win one of many prestigious J500 junior titles since Barty.
“Within the subsequent few years, I really feel like we’ll have much more of our junior gamers within the senior staff as a result of we’ve some actually nice younger abilities in Australian tennis. I believe they’re in an exquisite place,” stated Molik.
“However I don’t suppose they want me any extra.
“I’m not going anyplace. I’ll nonetheless be a giant supporter of those ladies, as a result of they’re real. They’re excellent buddies of mine and I simply can’t wait to see what’s in retailer for them.
“However I’ve given it every part. I really feel actually content material shifting on, as a result of there may be additionally a subsequent stage for me too, and I’ve given every part I really feel that I probably may have.
“For me, it was at all times a spotlight taking part in for Australia. Typically, it’s the reminiscences of Fed Cups and Billie Jean King Cups that stick in my thoughts the strongest once I take into consideration the Tour.
“After I take into consideration all crucial or most fulfilling instances that I had, they had been at all times amongst the staff. A whole lot of enjoyable, humorous instances, I’m fortunate to have these. That can dwell on.
“It’s an actual privilege to be concerned with this group, as a result of I actually mirror on quite a lot of different nations, and I don’t suppose that the relationships are as thick as what they’re inside the Australian staff. It’s true and it’s sincere.”
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