3 minute read

Kimberly Birrell says her goal is to get fitter after a breakout Australian Open that will boost her ranking by more than 80 spots.

Hitting the gym is the plan for youngster Kimberly Birrell as she contemplates the lessons of a breakout showing at the Australian Open.

The 20-year-old wildcard was outclassed by world No.2 and reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber in straight sets on Friday night.

She picked up one game in a match that was over in under an hour on Rod Laver Arena but, far from kicking stones, the Gold Coast local is already already looking at what she can do to improve.

"As soon as I walked off the court and I saw my team I said 'I need to get so much fitter'," Birrell said.

"That was what really hit me first, is how well she retrieved. She just makes you play an extra shot in each rally.

"I feel like I kind of played a three-setter almost. We had some really long rallies."

Birrell, world No.240 coming into Melbourne Park, is projected to jump inside the top 160 after a run to the third round that included the scalp of 29th seed Donna Vekic.

She opened the year with a win over world No.10 Daria Kasatkina in Brisbane and earned praise from Kerber, one of the best scramblers on tour.

"The last few weeks have been such an incredible experience," Birrell said.

"I've learnt so much about myself on the court, off the court. Definitely going to be focusing on the positives."

A more pressing consideration is what car to buy with a $155,000 payday, more than her career earnings to date.

"That's definitely going to be on the agenda in the next couple of weeks," she said, after revealing she was sharing a car with her mum.

"We've been talking about it a little bit. I definitely need a smaller car with the reversing camera because I need all the help I can get with parking."