Perth teen Taylah Preston has been chosen to signify Australia for the primary time within the Billie Jean King Cup competitors.
Brisbane, Australia, 26 March 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Taylah Preston revealed she “couldn’t cease smiling” after discovering out she was within the Australian crew for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie in opposition to Mexico.
“I used to be a bit nervous after I noticed (Australian captain) Sam (Stosur) was calling me however fortunately it was an excellent cellphone name,” she stated.
It’s the first time that the 18-year-old from Perth has been chosen to signify Australia within the prestigious crew competitors.
“Enjoying BJK Cup this season was undoubtedly a objective for me,” Preston stated.
“It was one thing my coach and I discussed on the finish of final yr whereas doing my targets for the following few months, so I’m tremendous joyful I can put a tick subsequent to this objective on my checklist.”
Two years in the past, Preston was invited to accompany the Australian Billie Jean King Cup crew throughout their finals marketing campaign.
The then 16-year-old stuffed the position of ‘orange woman’ in Glasgow, an unofficial and long-held Aussie custom reserved for a promising participant.
At that stage in her younger profession, Preston had contested solely eight skilled tournaments and was ranked exterior the world’s high 600.
“Being orange woman was such an incredible expertise for me,” Preston recalled.
“It undoubtedly helped to inspire me to work arduous and have the ability to be formally on the crew as quickly as I might.
“We truly had a dialog at dinner one evening in Glasgow the place they requested me after I assume I’d be on the crew, I’m fairly positive I stated ‘a few years hopefully’, in order that’s fairly cool.”
Regardless of Preston’s inexperience on the time, her expertise and perspective left an enduring impression on skilled team-mate Stosur.
“Whilst a 16-year-old orange woman in that tie in Glasgow, she regarded like she belonged,” Stosur associated.
“That actually caught out for me. I had by no means met Taylah earlier than that week, however she was skilled, she was able to go for each follow. Clearly, she knew she wasn’t taking part in as a result of she was the orange woman, however she put her hand as much as do completely the whole lot.”
It meant Stosur, Australia’s new Billie Jean King Cup captain, had no hesitations deciding on the now 18-year-old within the Australian crew for the upcoming tie in opposition to Mexico.
“It’s thrilling for Taylah to have the chance to be within the crew,” Stosur stated.
> READ: Australian crew introduced for Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier in opposition to Mexico
Preston’s promotion to the Australian line-up follows a powerful begin to the 2024 season.
Highlights embrace beating 4 higher-ranked opponents to succeed in her largest profession singles ultimate at a WTA 125 match in Mexico, scoring a primary top-50 win on the WTA 500 occasion in San Diego and lengthening world No.20 Caroline Garcia to a few units in the course of the Australian summer season.
After beginning the yr ranked No.208 in singles, Preston now sits at a career-high world No.134.
“The sky’s the restrict,” Stosur stated of the teenager’s potential.
“She’s actually shifting in the correct route. She’s tremendous skilled already and appears like she actually desires it.”
Preston will make her Billie Jean King Cup debut in Brisbane from 12-13 April, when Australia faces Mexico in a must-win Qualifier tie.
Tickets for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifier at the moment are on sale by way of Ticketmaster. Grownup costs begin at $20, concessions $16, children $5 and household passes (two adults and two kids) begin at $45.
> BUY NOW: Tickets to see Australia play Mexico
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