Kim Birrell collapses on court in tears after qualifying for Australian Open

Australia’s top ranked female tennis player was left in an emotional heap after enduring a gruelling battle on Thursday.

Australia’s highest-ranked woman Kimberly Birrell was left in tears after securing her place in the Australian Open main draw on Thursday.

The 26-year-old endured a tough challenge against Russia’s Oksana Selekhmeteva, but ultimately prevailed in three sets in a contest that lasted nearly three hours.

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Birrell burst out of the blocks to claim the opening set, but couldn’t capitalise in the second despite twice leading by a break.

Selekhmeteva then snatched away the momentum of the contest as she went up a break in the deciding third set.

Birrell wasn’t going to be denied and fought back to secure the 6-3, 6-7, 6-4 victory. The emotion then came pouring out as she collapsed on the court.

“I just feel so many things,” she said after the contest.

“I’m happy, grateful, relieved, tired … I’m just absolutely stoked. I can’t wait to play next week.”

Kimberly Birrell vs Oksana Selekhmeteva on court 3. An emotional Kimberly Birrell celebrates her 3 set win to qualify for the main draw . Picture: Michael Klein

Birrell, the only Aussie female in the world’s top 100, went to three sets in all three of her qualifying matches at Melbourne Park after being snubbed for a wildcard spot.

The gruelling process however made her qualification for the main draw even sweeter.

“I just did the best that I could to hang in there,” she said.

“I told myself, ‘she’s good, but I’m good too’. I loved the battle and I knew that was what it was going to take.

“I played really well at my home tournament in Brisbane. But I still knew it was going to take some effort against the girls.

“I qualified for a slam before but it felt nothing like this. To qualify for my home slam is the best feeling. I’m so, so happy. I’m just taking it one match at a time.”

Australia’s number one female is in. Picture: Michael Klein

The emotion came pouring out for Kim. Picture: Michael Klein

Birrell heaped praise on her family for supporting her throughout the rigorous qualification process.

“It’s been a lot of hours on court (over 5 and 1/2) and on the practice courts. They’ve played every single point with me,” said Birrell.

“My family - my parents and my brother have sacrificed so much for me to be able to chase my dreams.

“I’m so lucky to work with amazing coaches. They’ve been with me through the ups and down of injury. I could not have done this without them.’

Birrell became the eighth Australian female ready for round 1 action next week after earlier in the day Destanee Aiava claimed a resilient three-set victory over German Eva Lys – her third win in four days – to be the first Australian to secure one of 16 qualifying spots at Melbourne Park.

Destanee was overcome with emotion. Picture: Michael Klein

She celebrated the qualification with her mum. Picture: Michael Klein

Once the world’s top ranked 14-year-old girl, the Melbourne-born 24-year-old has faced a string of setbacks which even bled into this week as she battled body-shaming online trolls who posted despicable comments on her social media.

Aiava fell to her knees in elation as Lys made a rare unforced error with a long forehand to hand her a 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 victory in front of a cheering crowd on court three.

Her mother, Rosie, leant over the rails on the side of the court and hugged the Aussie after she broke her four-year home grand slam drought.

“It means so much, my Mum has sacrificed so much. I was with her every single day of pre-season, just working my arse off,” Aiava said after the win.

“I just thought play free, don’t think ahead, because I know I’ve done it before here as well, and I didn’t get through.

“I really wanted to just clear my mind. All I thought about was the next serve.”

The 2025 Australian Open officially gets underway on Sunday, January 12.

Originally published as Kim Birrell collapses on court in tears after qualifying for Australian Open