BIRRELL’S LONG ROAD BACK TO BEST FORM
KIMBERLY Birrell concedes she completely underestimated just how difficult it would be to bounce back from her injury lay-off.
The 19-year-old Gold Coaster came back in February this year from an extended stint on the sidelines due to a painful elbow that eventually required surgery.
Birrell was long unable to return to her best tennis, however, until finding form in September.
A Brisbane tournament she won paved the way for her to play in next month’s Australian Open qualifiers – a pathway she’ll need to count on after falling short in the wildcard playoff tournament on the weekend.
Birrell made it to the semifinals but there lost to Destanee Aiava 6-4, 6-1 on Saturday. Regardless, her hopes of a second Australian Open berth remain alive and Birrell is feeling confident having leapt out of her slump.
After plummeting to a world ranking of 1136 in June, she has clawed her way back to No. 347.
“I definitely underestimated how tough it was going to be coming back after not playing matches for so long,” Birrell told the Bulletin.
“The first six months was a little rough, like something I hadn’t experienced before was that lack of confidence in myself.”
The turning point was a change in approach upon returning from a disappointing trip to the US.
“I was on my own for a little bit and I had some tough losses,” Birrell said.
“When I got home I had a bit of a training block and that was leading up into all of the Aussie tournaments.
“I had to just knuckle down and put all of that six months behind me.
The change in mindset paid immediate dividends.
“I really feel I have confidence in myself that I can match it with the top girls again like I did pre-surgery,” she said.
Birrell is hoping to win wildcard entry into the season-opening Brisbane International.