The 25-year-old returned to some of her best form in 2023,having fought through two extensive injury lay-offs to receive elbow surgery. Between her run to the third round of the 2019 Australian Open and January 2022,she featured in only four events.
At one stage,Birrell’s world ranking dipped to around the 700 mark,but a resurgent 2023,in which she made her French and US Open debuts,put her back to within striking distance of the top 100.
“That makes it even more special to be able to play my home tournament again,after everything I went through,” Birrell said.
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“But honestly,it does feel like just a distant memory,because I’ve been back playing for two years now and this year I’ve played so many weeks and have proved to myself I can back up week after week.
“I’m strong and fit now,and I believe I can produce my best tennis against some of the best players in the world,as I’ve shown this year.
“I really just had my blinkers on this year and focused on my own journey and have been really grateful each week I’ve been able to be back on court playing.