Billie Jean King Cup Archives - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

Five Australian women, including debutant Maya Joint, will battle Kazakhstan and Colombia at Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson for a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

The Australian Billie Jean King Cup team, led by captain Sam Stosur, is set to compete in Brisbane next month. The team includes Kimberly Birrell, Ajla Tomljanovic, Ellen Perez, and Storm Hunter, alongside 18-year-old Maya Joint, who will make her international debut.

Sixteen-year-old Emerson Jones will join the team as the Orange Girl and gain experience training with the senior players. The competition will occur at Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson from 10 to 12 April, 2025.

Team Selection and Expectations

Australian Team Announced for Billie Jean King Cup in Tennyson — *Photo Credit:* *Billie Jean King Cup/ Facebook*

Stosur expressed her excitement about the team, highlighting Birrell’s recent form, achieving a career-high world ranking. She also emphasised Tomljanovic’s experience, competitive spirit, and the strength that Perez and Hunter bring to the doubles matches, especially following Hunter’s return from injury.

Stosur believes that Joint has earned her place in the team after a successful 12 months and is confident that she will perform well in her debut. The captain also spoke about the importance of including Jones as the Orange Girl, recognising her as a promising young player who will benefit from the experience.

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Competition Details and Opponents

Australia will face Kazakhstan and Colombia in a series of ties, each consisting of two singles and one doubles match. The winners of each group will advance to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, China, in November. Kazakhstan will be led by top-10 player Elena Rybakina and three-time major quarterfinalist Yulia Putintseva, while Colombia will feature former world No.33 Camila Osorio.

The matches will be played on hard courts at Pat Rafter Arena. The first match will see Australia play Kazakhstan on Thursday, 10 April, at 12:00 p.m AEST. Colombia versus Kazakhstan will follow on Friday, 11 April, at 12:00 p.m. AEST, and Australia versus Colombia will follow on Saturday, 12 April, at 12:00 p.m. AEST.

Community and Ticket Information

The event aims to be accessible to the community, with kids entering free across all three days and adult tickets starting from $20. Two-day ticket packages for the Australian sessions are available from $30. Tickets are available for purchase through Ticketmaster. The event is expected to draw a large crowd, with local support for the Australian team.

Published Date 18-March-2025

Australia’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, Kimberly Birrell, will lead the national team in the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifier at Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson. The event, from 10–12 April, will see Australia competing against Kazakhstan and Colombia for a final spot.

A High-Stakes Return to Brisbane

For the second consecutive year, Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena will host the Billie Jean King Cup qualifying round. The competition follows a round-robin format. It features six groups of three teams over three days. Australia is placed in Group D alongside Kazakhstan and Colombia, with each tie consisting of two singles and one doubles match.

The six group winners will advance to the finals in Shenzhen, China. They will join defending champions Italy and host nation China. Currently ranked fifth in the Billie Jean King Cup standings, Australia aims to continue its strong performances in the tournament after reaching the finals in 2019 and 2022.

Birrell Leads Australia’s Charge on Home Soil

Queensland’s own Ms Birrell, who recently became the country’s highest-ranked female player, has been confirmed as the first member of Australia’s squad. Now at a career-best world ranking of No. 75, she has delivered impressive results recently, including a runner-up finish at a WTA event in Osaka. Ms Birrell also had a quarterfinal run at the Brisbane International, and a mixed doubles final appearance at the Australian Open.

Representing Australia on home soil is a special moment for Ms Birrell, particularly as Pat Rafter Arena is where she has trained and competed extensively. She looks forward to playing in front of a local crowd, especially with friends and family in attendance.

Team captain Sam Stosur expressed confidence in Ms Birrell’s form, acknowledging her recent success and consistency on the court. Stosur emphasised that Ms Birrell is in top condition and well-prepared for the upcoming challenge.

International Competition Set for Tennyson

Brisbane’s Pat Rafter Arena will welcome elite tennis talent as Australia, Kazakhstan, and Colombia battle for a place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals. The match schedule is as follows:

Thursday, 10 April – Australia vs. Kazakhstan
Friday, 11 April – Colombia vs. Kazakhstan
Saturday, 12 April – Australia vs. Colombia

Organisations anticipate strong crowd support, as the event coincides with the school holidays. Queensland has a long-standing tradition of hosting world-class tennis events, and this qualifier presents another opportunity for fans to experience top-tier competition.

Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster on 20 February, with early bird access from 11 a.m. and general public sales from 3 p.m. Children can attend for free, with adult tickets starting at $20. A two-day pass for Australia’s matches is available from $30.

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Australia’s History in the Billie Jean King Cup

Australia has been a consistent force in the Billie Jean King Cup, competing in every edition since its inception in 1963. With seven titles to its name, the national team last secured victory in 1974. The team was led by Evonne Goolagong, Dianne Fromholtz, and Janet Young. More recently, Australia has finished as runners-up in 2019 and 2022. As the qualifiers approach, anticipation builds for another strong performance from the Australian team.

Published 28-Feb-2025

Tag: Billie Jean King Cup

Australian Team Announced for Billie Jean King Cup in Tennyson