17 June 2014 | Tennis West

An incredible six years on, Casey Dellacqua has set a new career-high ranking in what highlights a heart-warming story of triumph over adversity.

The Australian veteran jumped seven spots to world No.36 following her run to the semifinals at the WTA Premier event in Birmingham, just her second tour-level singles semifinal and the biggest of her career.

Her new ranking surpasses her previous high of 39th, set back in 2008 after she reached the fourth round at the Australian Open and Indian Wells and progressed to the third round at Roland Garros and Wimbledon.

Since then, the West Australian overcame two career-threatening injuries – shoulder and foot surgeries kept her out of the game for a collective two years – to arrive where she has today.

Incredibly, Dellacqua was ranked outside the top 200 even as recently as September 2013.

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Her surge can be attributed to the intense work she has put in to her game and fitness off court, and the resulting confidence on it.

“Just after the Australian Open I had like a top 100 goal. Then I kind of reset some goals after the Australian Open,” she revealed.

“I feel like I’m a completely different, better, well-rounded player than I was back then (in 2008). So I felt like I could beat that ranking (of 39th) … it’s nice to know that all my hard work is paying off.”