Gold Coast Fed Cup tennis player Kim Birrell’s post-Australian Open experience in Launceston

Fresh from a grounding experience in Tasmania, Gold Coast tennis sensation Kim Birrell has jetted off to the United States for a dream return to Australia’s Fed Cup team.

FRESH from a grounding experience in Tasmania, Gold Coast tennis sensation Kim Birrell has jetted off to the United States for a dream return to Australia’s Fed Cup team.

The 20-year-old departed for North Carolina on Sunday after enjoying some downtime on the Coast.

She is one of five Aussies on tour for the first round World Group tie against the US, joining Ash Barty, Daria Gavrilova, Priscilla Hon and Astra Sharma.

Birrell has made a name for herself this summer, defeating then No.10 Daria Kasatkina in Brisbane and knocking out 29th seed Donna Vekic en route to the third round of the Australian Open, where she was beaten by Angelique Kerber on Rod Laver Arena.

Kim Birrell. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Following the highs of her efforts at a packed Melbourne Park, Birrell’s next on-court opportunity came at a low-level tournament in Launceston last week, where she reached the second round.

“That was a decision that I made, that I still wanted to play that week,” Birrell said.

“There are only four tournaments a year that are as crazy as grand slams. Not every week is like that so I knew that going into Launceston.

“In the end every single match, it’s just another tennis match. That is the mindset I went to Launceston with and I had another couple of good matches and I took my expectation away from the result and put it towards just getting better and improving.

Kim Birrell's parents John and Ros at the Australian Open. Picture: Michael Klein

“That’s still what I am trying to do.”

Birrell was over the moon to be representing her country for the first time since her 2016 Fed Cup debut in Slovakia.

“It means so much to me. I’m so excited,” she said.

“I thought I could get back there, I just didn’t think it would happen this quickly.”

One-time US Open finalist Madison Keys and 2019 Australian Open semi-finalist Danielle Collins will spearhead the US team in North Carolina, with Sofia Kenin and Nicole Melichar rounding out the four-strong squad.