BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 17, 2024

Kimberly Birrell

Team Australia

Press Conference

V. HRUNCAKOVA/K. Birrell

7-5, 6-7, 6-3

Team Slovakia - 1

Team Australia - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. A tough match today. Can you give me your thoughts on how everything went today for you?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, I think she played really well. She served unbelievably well.

Yeah, I found it quite tough to make any inroads into her service games until I had a couple of chances in the second set, and in the third set, too. But, yeah, credit to her. I think she played really well, especially on the big points.

Yeah, I mean, I fought as hard as I could. I left everything out there. I think I did improve as the match went on, but I played against a quality player who just played better than me on the day.

Q. She's quite a streaky player. How difficult is it to play someone who can just tee off on a ball when it's in her hitting zone?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, it is tough, but, I mean, I think that's the way the game is going, so I've got to get used to it (smiling).

Yeah, I think she obviously has a big game, has big weapons, and it is quite tough down the other side of the net to find rhythm against a player like that.

But I did know that going in. And in those moments where I felt she was quite streaky, I just tried to stick with her and weather the storm as best I could.

Q. Did you do anything differently after the first set to get back into the match?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, I tried to move around my return position and give her a different look to try to break her rhythm and then give myself a better chance of getting a racquet on her serves and then, you know, getting into the point.

Yeah, I think it was whoever could get the first strike and make the other one move sort of was on top of the point, so that's what I was really focused on after the first set.

Q. Can you talk a little about the camaraderie amongst the team, what it means to be part of Team Australia here in Malaga?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, it's so special, I mean, especially as Aussies. We are a super patriotic country. Any time we get to wear green and gold, it means the world to us.

Yeah, to be picked in the team alongside Sam and the girls has been amazing, such a great way for me to end my year. Unfortunately I would have loved to got the win for them today, but I still loved every minute of this week and competing on court today.