Hunter set for emotional Billie Jean King Cup return in Brisbane | 27 March, 2025 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Storm Hunter is making her extremely anticipated return to crew tennis, representing Australia within the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers in Brisbane in simply two weeks.

Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 27 March 2025 | Camille Russo

Storm Hunter is making her extremely anticipated return to crew tennis, representing Australia within the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers in Brisbane in simply two weeks.

Hunter ruptured her Achilles tendon in April final 12 months and has proven outstanding resilience in her return to tennis after almost a 12 months on the sidelines.

The harm minimize quick what was shaping as a standout season; she completed 2023 because the world No.1 doubles participant and was additionally closing in on the singles prime 100 rankings.

Now, following months of rehabilitation, Hunter is again on courtroom and is keen to don the inexperienced and gold as soon as once more.

“I’m so excited,” Hunter mentioned after being named within the crew. “It was a little bit of a dream of mine to get again and characterize Australia once more. Being part of this crew is one thing that’s at all times meant a lot to me.”

The upcoming tie in Brisbane holds explicit significance for Hunter, because it was throughout final 12 months’s Billie Jean King Cup in the identical metropolis that she suffered her season-ending harm.

“Clearly after what occurred final 12 months, I actually need to change my reminiscence of enjoying in Brisbane,” she mentioned.

“It’s so particular to put on the inexperienced and gold, and I don’t take these moments without any consideration. This crew means the whole lot to me, and I can’t wait to be again on the market, preventing for our nation.”

Since rejoining the tour in February, Hunter has steadily rebuilt her confidence and kind, lately reaching the Miami Open doubles quarterfinals alongside American companion, Caroline Dolehide.

RELATED: Storm Hunter’s comeback gathering steam

“You’ll be able to observe as a lot as you need, however nothing compares to match play. Being in a event, coping with strain moments, and backing your self when it’s all on the road,” she defined.

“My first matches again in Indian Wells have been powerful, however they gave me confidence. I’ve been enhancing each single day, and it’s actually thrilling to see that work begin to repay.”

Hunter’s comeback journey has been about extra than simply bodily restoration – it’s been about endurance, resilience and a deep love for the sport.

“I most likely put actually excessive expectations on myself, as a result of after I bought injured, I used to be doing actually, very well,” she admitted. “This previous 12 months has been a course of, each bodily and mentally, however I’ve realized to be affected person and type to myself.”

For Hunter, the upcoming tie marks a long-awaited milestone: her first-ever dwelling look within the Billie Jean King Cup.

“It’s loopy as a result of I’ve been on the crew for fairly a number of years, I debuted after I was 17 or 18 and I’ve by no means performed a house tie,” she mentioned.

“Final 12 months I used to be chosen to play, after which I had the harm. So now, to be wholesome and have the possibility to put on the inexperienced and gold and play in entrance of the house crowd – it’s a dream come true.”

Tickets for the Billie Jean King Cup at the moment are on sale for the possibility to witness Storm Hunter’s inspiring return and cheer on Workforce Australia as they compete for a spot within the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals later this 12 months.

The interview with Storm Hunter can be featured on tonight’s episode of The Tennis, accessible on all podcast platforms and the Australian Open YouTube channel.

Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers

Venue: Pat Rafter Area, Brisbane
Floor: Onerous, Outdoor

• Thursday 10 April 12.00pm AEST – Australia vs Kazakhstan
• Friday 11 April 12.00pm AEST – Colombia vs Kazakhstan
• Saturday 12 April 12.00pm AEST – Australia vs Colombia

Tickets on sale

Tickets to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier that includes Australia, Kazakhstan and Colombia are on sale by way of Ticketmaster

• Children go free throughout the three days of tennis
• Grownup tickets from $20
• Two-day ticket packages for the Australian classes from $30

Quick info

• The Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers will happen week commencing 7 April
• In 2025, six teams of three groups will contest the qualifying spherical on a round-robin foundation
• Australia, Czechia, Japan, Netherlands, Poland and Slovakia will host qualifiers in April. Host nations have been drawn at random from functions made by eligible nations
• Group D will see Australia host Kazakhstan and Colombia at Pat Rafter Area in Brisbane
• Three ties can be performed throughout three days. Every tie will encompass two singles matches and a doubles match
• Six group winners in April will advance to the finals in Shenzen, China. The finals will transition from a 12-team occasion to an eight-team occasion in 2025
• Hosts China and 2024 champions Italy will spherical out the highest eight within the finals
• Brisbane final hosted a Billie Jean King Cup tie in April 2024 when Australia defeated Mexico 4-0
• Australia is one among 4 nations to have competed within the Billie Jean King Cup competitors yearly. Australia sits second on the all-time champions checklist
• Australia is at the moment ranked the No.5 nation in Billie Jean King Cup rankings
• Evonne Goolagong, Dianne Fromholtz and Janet Younger final led Australia to Fed Cup victory in 1974
• The Australian crew has completed runners-up twice in recent times, in 2019 and 2022
• Billie Jean King Cup is the most important ladies’s crew occasion in tennis. It’s the ladies’s equal of the Davis Cup and was launched in 1963 to have fun the fiftieth anniversary of the Worldwide Tennis Federation. In 2025, a document 146 nations will compete within the competitors.