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Kimberly Birrell to Lead Australia in Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier at Tennyson

Photo Credit: Kimberly Birrell/Instagram

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

Brisbane International 2024 Returns to the Pat Rafter Arena

After last taking place in its entirety in 2019, the Brisbane International tennis tournament will make a much-anticipated return to welcome 2024 at the Pat Rafter Arena.

Brisbane International tournament details

To be held from December 31, 2023 to January 7, 2024, the Brisbane International will feature a 32-player draw for both men’s and women’s singles. This marks an expansion of the women’s field from previous years. Top-ranked players will compete for a total prize pool of $3.1 million AUD.

There’s more than 1️⃣ reason that we’re BACK!@Queensland @visitbrisbane #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/MDtbPMwHQE
— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) September 18, 2023

The tournament is sanctioned by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP). It serves as a prelude to the Australian Open Grand Slam in Melbourne.

Supported by the government

“It’s terrific to see the much-anticipated return of the Brisbane International tournament to reignite Australia’s summer of tennis,” said Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe. “Tennis fans love this block-buster event, as much as the players love playing at Pat Rafter Arena.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the tournament was a “Grand Slam win for the city” and would benefit local businesses. “Our city continues to be the number one choice for international sporting events,” he added.

Former world no.1 Ashleigh Barty endorsed the move to reinstate the event. “The players love to come here, love the atmosphere,” she said. The stadium’s namesake and fellow former world no.1 Pat Rafter also welcomed the tournament’s return.

Australian Summer of Tennis 2024 — Photo Credit: Instagram/Tennis Australia

Together with the United Cup and the Canberra International, the Brisbane International kicks off the Australian Summer of Tennis in 2024. The summer culminates with the Australian Open at Melbourne Park.

Published 17 October 2023

World’s First United Cup Tournament Launches in Tennyson

A summer of international tennis is returning to Queensland with the launch of the first-ever United Cup Tournament at the Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson.

Over 6,000 tennis fans are expected to travel to the region to watch the United Cup from Thursday, the 29th of December 2022, to Wednesday, the 4th of January 2023.

The sports event will showcase 18 countries across three Australian cities – Brisbane (Pat Rafter Arena), Perth (RAC Arena) and Sydney (Ken Rosewall Arena). Each city will host two groups of three countries, competing in a round-robin format.

The winners of this inaugural event could take home US $15 million and earn 500 ATP and 500 WTA rankings points.

Tennis like you've never seen 🎾

The #UnitedCup explained 👇

Find out more: https://t.co/sQuxjlPHlS pic.twitter.com/FOMkdbDl3v
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) November 10, 2022

“We know Pat Rafter Arena is a favourite with players and it will be terrific to see the stars of the game back in Brisbane for Queensland’s traditional summer of international tennis,” ourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said.

“Blockbuster events of the calibre of the United Cup usually bring thousands of Queensland and interstate tennis fans to Pat Rafter Arena.

“The 2022-23 international summer of tennis is Brisbane’s first since the pandemic and another green shoot of recovery for transnational sport in Queensland.

“Queensland tennis fans will witness the mastery of the games’ big names in the hunt for the world’s biggest prize pool outside of the Grand Slams.

“The United Cup is a world-first spectacle of men’s and women’s tennis greats playing side-by-side for their countries.

“I’m excited to see the United Cup’s star-studded centre court billing join Queensland’s line-up of major international sport on our decade-long green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Games.

“First-class international tennis is game, set and match for our great Queensland lifestyle, generating an estimated $8 million for the visitor economy and supporting more good jobs.”

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that the United Cup is line with the city’s “action-packed line-up of major international sports on our green and gold runway to the #Brisbane2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Tickets to the United Cup Tournament are now on sale.

Venus Williams to Join Ashleigh Barty, Sam Stosur at Pat Rafter Arena for Brisbane International

A loaded line-up of top tier tennis players in the world is set to compete at the Brisbane International this January. Home favourite Ashleigh Barty will lead the tournament along with Venus Williams, Sam Stosur and at least 30 other tennis champions.

Brisbane International, an all-female tennis affair, will run from the 6th to the 12th of Jan 2020 at the Pat Rafter Arena in Tennyson. Ms William’s debut at the tournament was announced just days after the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) confirmed that its top three players — Ms Barty, Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) and Naomi Osaka (Japan) — will also be competing.

“After so many years on the tour, it is good to play at new tournaments and experience a different city. Brisbane International is always spoken of so highly among the WTA players and so I wanted to see it for myself,” Ms Williams said via the WTA.

Meanwhile, Ms Barty is primed to win her first Brisbane International, which is seen as the tournament that could prepare her for the Australian Open in Melbourne this year. She will be up against some heavy competition.

Also joining the current WTA champs are former Grand Slam winner and one of Australia’s tennis pride, Samantha Stosur. Emerging talent, Croatian-born Australian pro tennis star Ajla Tomljanović, will also serve at the event.

Other champs and rising stars competing in the tournaments are Petre Kvitova, Kiki Bertens, Johanna Konta, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Angelique Kerber, Dayana Yastremska, Sofia Kenin, Karolina Muchova, Alison Riske, Maria Sakkari and Donna Veki.

“To be able to add Venus, Sam, Elina and Ajla to an already blockbuster field says a lot about the Brisbane International and the city as a destination to visit,” Brisbane International tournament director Mark Handley told the press.

“Players arrive here at the start of the season fresh from a well-earned rest and we are looking forward to showcasing the best of women’s tennis with the best match-ups at the Queensland Tennis Centre.”