BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 9, 2023

Kimberly Birrell

Team Australia

Press Conference

Y. PUTINTSEVA/K. Birrell

6-0, 7-5

Team Australia - 1

Team Kazakhstan - 1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you just talk through that match? Two very different sets. How did you sort of feel it went out there?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, obviously I didn't have the best start. I went down early in the first set and kind of struggled to find my way. But I was really glad that I was able to reset and just start from scratch really in the second set.

I'm really proud of the way I turned it around. I think I, you know, obviously didn't play at my best level, but I gave myself every opportunity to win the second set.

I had opportunities. Unfortunately, I didn't quite take them. Yeah, I think I definitely turned it around in the second set. Credit to her. She played very well.

Q. Can you let us in maybe on some of the conversations you were having with Alicia, like after that first set and how you got yourself fired up for that second set?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, Mol's so good on the sidelines. She's so positive. No matter what, every time I looked at her, I know she was encouraging me.

Yeah, she was helping me with a couple of little things that I have been focusing on, just a few cues with my return and to stay aggressive, and with my serve, as well.

Yeah, super grateful to have someone like Mol on the side. I have no doubt that she really helped me turn it around in the second set. Unfortunately, I couldn't get the win for her, but yeah, it was really cool having her there.

Q. Were you disappointed not to play the other day? There was quite a lot of suggestion that felt like you would be in the team from the start.

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: No, obviously we have such great depth in our team, and I think no matter who steps out on the court to play singles or doubles, I think we're all such strong singles players that, yeah, it wasn't really a surprise.

We were all preparing like we were going to play singles. I really do trust Alicia and the rest of the team's judgment.

Of course I always want to play, but I had no problem with the decision that was made for our first tie. I'm really proud of our efforts. It was really cool to play doubles, too.

Q. Something we touched on the other day, have you had a chance to, given everything you have been through in the last few years, have you given yourself time just to give yourself a pat on the back, just take everything in this week, given the journey that you have been on, and have accepted happily that you've been here in Australian colors?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Thank you. Probably not quite right now (smiling), but I'm sure that time will come. After this week's over, I'm still taking it day by day. Yeah, we're still in it, so anything can happen.

But, yeah, obviously reflecting on my own personal journey, I didn't know if I was ever going to get the chance to represent Australia again, so I have been really trying to enjoy and savor every single moment here with the team. It's been so much fun.

And, yeah, super sad that I didn't get to win my match today, but I hope that I get the chance to play again in the future and going to go out and support the girls in the doubles now.