AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 11, 2025

Kimberly Birrell

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Kimberly, home slam. How are you feeling going into the tournament?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Feeling so excited. Super proud of the way that I fought and played to get through qualifying. Obviously a lot of emotions. So, so happy that I get to play next week. Cannot wait.

THE MODERATOR: Does the home support really make a difference?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, it definitely does. Just having the crowd and everyone on your side, especially playing in front of my friends and family, is super, super special. I think I really needed that this week. Obvious coming from Brissy, I was a little tired.

Yeah, in the big moments I really lent on the support from the crowd.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You had a pretty good run in Brisbane. You've had to play a few matches here in qualifying. Are you worried you're a little burned out before the tournament even starts?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: I'm not going to lie (laughter). It was something that I had thought about. I knew right after my match in Brissy how important it would be for me to recover and just to reset and prepare.

I'm really glad that I got to have one day at home just to sleep in my own bed, repack my suitcase, use that as a metaphor for a new week. Obviously new feelings and emotions going into a Grand Slam compared to Brissy, playing at home.

Yeah, really super proud that I was able to dig in and get through some of the tough quallies matches that I think wasn't just about tennis. I was sort of managing a few different things. Yeah, super, super happy.

Q. How have you been able to recharge again?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, I had a really great day off yesterday. I slept in. I slept a ton yesterday. I didn't have any plans. I barely looked at my phone. I spent some quality time with my family. Went out to brekkie, one of my favorite cafes in South Yarra.

Just enjoyed the day, ticked all the recovery boxes that I knew I needed to. But mostly just didn't think about tennis. I didn't even know who I was playing till today.

I feel like that was really needed. Now I'm ready to go again come next week.

Q. A couple years ago when you were struggling with injuries, could you imagine you could be playing in this form, full of so much confidence?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: Yeah, I think what really helped me get through my injury was the run that I had in 2019, knowing that I had the ability to go deep and win a few matches at slams, hopefully potentially go deeper. That was something I really lent on during the tough days where I was doing my rehab alone in Brissy while all my friends were out on tour playing.

Of course, there's always moments where you question like, What am I doing? Do I think I'm going to get back to where I was? Yeah, to actually prove that to myself now, have the runs on the board, I think is absolutely huge.

Q. What does it mean to be the top-ranked Aussie?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: It's amazing. It's really, really cool, something that I dreamed of as a little kid.

But obviously I'm aware that we have so many amazing female tennis players in Australia. A few of us have been plagued by injury. I think when Ajla and Dash and Liv, all those girls are playing at their best, their rankings are going to be well inside the top 100. I hope we can all make that push this year. I'm not really thinking too much about that No. 1 spot, even though it is a very, very cool feeling.

Q. When do you cheer?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: You can cheer probably whenever you want and when the point is finished.

Q. Who is our special guest at this press conference today?

KIMBERLY BIRRELL: This is Ivy. She had an amazing homemade sign during my last round qualifying match that I saw and really helped me get through some really tough, tough moments, and put a smile on my face when I won. It was super, super special to meet her and spend some time with her today. She's my good luck charm. She'll be with me in spirit every match.