Birrell has been named within the Australian Billie Jean King Cup Finals | 8 November, 2024 | All Information | Information and Options | Information and Occasions

Kimberly Birrell has been named because the fifth and closing member of the Australian Billie Jean King Cup squad that may head to Spain to compete within the finals of the occasion subsequent week.

Malaga, Spain, 8 November 2024 | Rhys de Deugd

Set to signify her nation underneath her position mannequin Sam Stosur for the primary time, Kimberly Birrell is worked up to go to Malaga in Spain for the Billie Jean King Cup closing.

Stosur gave Birrell the nod after an Asian success that included a primary WTA closing in Osaka in her most profitable week on tour.

The 26-year-old returns to the membership after final representing Australia on the 2023 finals within the close by Spanish metropolis of Seville.

It was all the time an enormous objective for Birrell to hitch the group in Malaga this yr, however it was necessary that he give attention to controlling his video games on the courtroom, which led to a collection of necessary steps within the again half of the yr.

“I knew it is perhaps on the desk, being within the group, however I used to be making an attempt to give attention to myself and take every day and recreation because it comes,” stated Birrell.

“Since I used to be a child, representing Australia has all the time been one among my No.1 objectives in life, and in tennis. Anytime you get an opportunity to signify and put on the inexperienced and gold, it is very particular.”

> READ MORE: Birrell reaches first Tour closing, Jones wins Chin a

The Queenslander returns to the Australian squad after lacking out on a spot within the residence recreation in opposition to Mexico in April. Will probably be his first time representing his nation underneath first-year captain Sam Stosur.

The tie can be very particular for Birrell, who has identified Stosur since he dreamed of following in her footsteps as a toddler.

“He is additionally from the Gold Coast, so he is been an excellent position mannequin for me in my enjoying profession,” he stated.

“We talked for a bit, so I wasn’t certain if he was going to say something about BJK once I noticed his identify pop up on my cellphone. I used to be nervous and excited. My coronary heart was pounding.

“I am very pleased and really grateful and grateful that he, and the remainder of the assist employees, imagine in me sufficient to call me.”

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Birrell joins a group that features Billie Jean King Cup coach Nicole Pratt, with whom she labored one-on-one throughout her breakthrough week in Osaka.

“I’ve labored with Pratty for a very long time, however his solo session that week was unbelievable. “Spending a lot time with him over the previous couple of months I do not assume I’d have gone as far that week with out him,” stated Birrell.

“I did every thing I may and despite the fact that I misplaced within the closing, I am nonetheless pleased with the best way I performed that week and the best way I gained my matches.”

Birrell joins Ajla Tomljanovic, Olivia Gadecki, Ellen Perez and Daria Saville on the group, whereas 18-year-old Maya Joint walked with them in inexperienced and gold for the primary time as an Orange Lady.

“(Joint) is a tremendous participant, however he’s an excellent higher particular person off the sphere. “He embodies lots of the qualities that the group depends on,” commented Birrell.

“He actually deserves it together with his outcomes on the courtroom this yr, and I’ve spoken to him since he came upon he will Spain too, and I do know he is very pleased.”

Australia will play the winner of the USA and Slovakia within the Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinal on November 17.

The tie kicks off at 8pm AEST and can be broadcast reside on the 9 Community and Stan Sport.

Discover your strategy to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on the courtroom and have enjoyable!