Kimberly Birrell was Australia's top ranked women player for the majority of 2023 after achieving a career-high ranking during the year.
After having several injury problems in her career, the 25-year-old will be looking for a strong Australian Open to continue her rise up the rankings.
The Sporting News looks at the progression of Birrell's career ahead of her appearances at the Brisbane International and Australian Open.
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Kimberly Birrell age, rank, career titles
Birrell was born in Germany to Australia parents, with her father John working as a tennis coach abroad at the time.
After taking up tennis as a four-year-old, Birrell was coached by John at Queens Park Tennis Centre - which has had the likes of Sam Stosur and Bernard Tomic as former pupils.
At 13, Birrell made her debut in the ITF Junior Circuit under-18 events In July 2011, winning a final in Sydney a year after starting on the underage tour.
The right-hander achieved solid results on the ITF Junior Circuit, reaching a ranking of 18 and making the semi-finals 2014 Australian Open girls event.
After making her doubles senior debut at the Australian Open in 2015, Birrell earned her first WTA tour match via a wildcard into the Hobart International in 2016.
Birrell won her debut senior match, defeating world no.57 Danka Kovinic in straight sets.
Her form caught the eye of Tennis Australia, with a wildcard awarded to Birrell for the Australian Open 2016 - which was her Grand Slam debut.
Birrell was defeated in round one by ninth seed Karolina Pliskova, but fought hard to go down 4-6 4-6.
An elbow injury first inherited by Birrell in 2016 played havoc with her career over an extended period of time.
Injury issues forced the Aussie talent into interrupted seasons, particularly in 2017 and 2020, with the elbow issue wiping out these periods, however in 2019, Birrell snared her best finish at the Australian Open via a third-round exit.
However, Birrell returned to tennis from injury in 2021 and after building for two years, experienced a breakthrough in 2023.
After achieving a second-round result at Australian Open 2023, Birrell played at the French Open and US Open, qualified for Indian Wells, made a WTA quarter-final at the Merida Open and winning two ITF titles.
Her consistent season saw her achieve a career-high ranking of 100 and for most of the season was Australia's no.1 ranked women's player after the injury issues with Ajla Tomljanovic.
Birrell, who is currently ranked world no. 114, has won five ITF titles in her career with three of those coming since October 2022.
She will be competing in the Australian Open main draw for the fifth time after being handed a wildcard from Tennis Australia.
Birrell will also be drawcard at the WTA 500 Brisbane International tournament - having been given a wildcard.
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Kimberly Birrell prize money
Birrell has earned a total of US$949,752 (AU$1,418,535) in prize money over her career, according to the WTA.
Her impressive 2023 has seen Birrell record winnings of US$430,486 (AU$642,706) in the past calendar year.
Kimberly Birrell grand slam tournament record
Singles
| Aus. Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | |
| 2015 | Qualifying 1 | - | - | - |
| 2016 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2017 | - | - | - | - |
| 2018 | Qualifying 1 | - | - | - |
| 2019 | 3rd round | Qualifying 1 | Qualifying 1 | - |
| 2020 | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2022 | Qualifying 3 | - | - | Qualifying 2 |
| 2023 | 2nd round | 1st round | Qualifying 1 | 1st round |
Women's doubles
| Aus. Open | French Open | Wimbledon | US Open | |
| 2015 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2016 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2017 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2018 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2019 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2020 | - | - | - | - |
| 2021 | 1st round | - | - | - |
| 2022 | 2nd round | - | - | - |
| 2023 | - | - | - | - |
