PLAYER PROFILE
Kimberly Birrell
8
AUSTRALIAN
RANKING
RANKING
148
WTA
RANKING
RANKING
- Age26
- Born29 April 1998
- Birth PlaceGermany
- LivesHope Island, QLD
- PlaysRight-handed
- CoachChris Mahony & John Birrell
““Ever since I was a kid, representing Australia has always been one of my number one goals in life, and in tennis. Anytime you get the chance to represent and wear green and gold, it's just so special.””
— Kimberly Birrell, 8 Nov 2024
» Birrell selected for Australian Billie Jean King Cup Finals team
On court
- In 2012, proved herself to be an outstanding doubles player, after she won the Sydney Junior International with fellow Aussie Maddison Inglis
- Reached the semifinals on her favourite playing surface in the doubles of Optus 14s Claycourt Championships, as well as the Grasscourt Championships (both in 2012)
- Was the Under 16s champion in the Medibank Age Championships, as well as the Rod Laver QLD Junior Championships
- In 2014, reached the semifinals of the Australian Open junior girls’ singles event
- Debuted in Australia’s Fed Cup team in 2016, facing Dominika Cibulkova in the World Group II quarterfinals against Slovakia
- As a wildcard, upset Paula Badosa and No.29 seed Donna Vekic en route to the third round at Australian Open 2019, her first Grand Slam main-draw victories
- Missed most of the 2020 and 2021 seasons due to an elbow injury
- Won more than 40 singles matches in a resurgent season in 2022, rising from outside the top 700 to end the year at No.167.
- Made top-150 debut in January 2023, after reaching Australian Open second round as a wildcard (defeated No.31 seed Kaia Kanepi)
- Won the first overseas title of her career at the ITF 60K event in Orlando, Florida in February 2023.
- That same month, reached first WTA singles quarterfinal at Mexico, beating three top-100 players in a row as a qualifier
- Says that one of the best things about being a tennis player is being able to travel, although she still thinks the Gold Coast is the best city in the world
- Became Australia’s top-ranked woman in singles for the first time in August 2023
- Made top-100 debut in singles in September 2023 and finished season as top-ranked Australian woman
- Was among a record five Australian women to qualify at US Open 2024.
Year-end singles ranking history
2023 | 113 |
2022 | 167 |
2021 | 734 |
2020 | 735 |
2019 | 245 |
2018 | 285 |
2017 | 356 |
2016 | 506 |
2015 | 361 |
2014 | – |
2013 | 818 |
Kimberly Birrell in the news
Sam Stosur honoured with Billie Jean King Cup commitment award
19 November, 2024
Sam Stosur has been presented with the Billie Jean King Cup Commitment Award, awarded to players who have shown a long-standing dedication to representing their country…
Read moreSam Stosur has been presented with the Billie Jean King Cup Commitment Award, awarded to players who have shown a long-standing dedication to representing their country…
Australia falls to Slovakia in Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals
18 November, 2024
Ajla Tomljanovic and Kimberly Birrell have fallen short against an inspired Slovakia as Australia's hopes for a fourth semifinal in five years end.
Read moreAjla Tomljanovic and Kimberly Birrell have fallen short against an inspired Slovakia as Australia's hopes for a fourth semifinal in five years end.
Australia chasing Billie Jean King Cup semifinal spot
17 November, 2024
Australia faces Slovakia on Sunday night bidding to make the semifinals for the fourth time in five years, with captain Sam Stosur benefitting from a wealth of selection options.
Read moreAustralia faces Slovakia on Sunday night bidding to make the semifinals for the fourth time in five years, with captain Sam Stosur benefitting from a wealth of selection options.
Birrell selected for Australian Billie Jean King Cup Finals team
8 November, 2024
Kimberly Birrell has been selected as the fifth and final member of the Australian Billie Jean King Cup team that will head to Spain to compete in the event’s finals next week.
Read moreKimberly Birrell has been selected as the fifth and final member of the Australian Billie Jean King Cup team that will head to Spain to compete in the event’s finals next week.