PLAYER PROFILE

Kimberly Birrell

8
AUSTRALIAN
RANKING
148
WTA
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
Sam Stosur, captain of Team Australia, receives her Billie Jean King Cup commitment award from David Haggerty and Conchita Martinez before the quarterfinal tie between Australia and Slovakia in Malaga, Spain. [Getty Images]
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…
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Australia falls to Slovakia in Billie Jean King Cup quarterfinals
Ajla Tomljanovic required treatment for a left leg injury during her loss to Rebecca Sramkova. Photo: Getty Images
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.
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Australia chasing Billie Jean King Cup semifinal spot
Australia's Billie Jean King Cup team of (L-R) Ellen Perez, Kimberly Birrell, Ajla Tomljanovic, captain Sam Stosur, Olivia Gadecki and Daria Saville. [Getty Images]
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.
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Birrell selected for Australian Billie Jean King Cup Finals team
SEVILLE, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 04: Kimberly Birrell of Team Australia poses for a portrait prior to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at Estadio de La Cartuja on November 04, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images for ITF)
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.
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