I’ll give this all I have got
Australia’s highest ranked female player, Arina Rodionova, has put previous animosity behind her and vowed to do “everything I can” for the national team after being recalled by captain Sam Stosur for the Billie Jean Cup clash with Mexico in Brisbane in April.
Rodionova’s call-up comes after she lashed Australian Open officials when she crashed out in qualifying having been snubbed for a wildcard in to her home grand slam despite her ranking.
“There were just so many things behind the scenes that it is very clear to me that I’m not liked,” she said at the time.
The 34-yearold used the snub as motivation and became the second oldest player ever to enter the world’s top 100 for the first time in January.
With Ajla Tomljanovic unavailable as she overcomes surgery, Stosur included Rodionova (pictured) in the team along with Storm Hunter, Daria Saville, Ellen Perez and 18-year-old Taylah Preston.
“It’s such an honour to be a part of the Billie Jean King Cup team and represent Australia at our home tie,” said Rodionova, who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No.97 last month.
“I am really looking forward to it and will do everything I can on and off the court to help the team get that win!”
Rodionova has fallen back outside the top 100 to 104, but remains the highest-ranked Australian female and brings crucial experience to the team which also includes Storm Hunter, who was recently the No.1-ranked doubles player in the world.
“We have experience coming into this tie with Australia’s top-ranked singles and doubles players, which I’m sure will put us in a good position to get the win against Mexico,” Stosur said.
“I’m also delighted to name Taylah as a fully-fledged member of the team – it’s only two years ago that she was our ‘orange girl’. “She’s still only 18, has had some terrific results recently and I’m excited for her to have this opportunity to represent her country at the highest level.”
The Australians need to beat Mexico to earn a spot in the 12nation finals, which will be played in Spain in November.