Arina Rodionova taking part in Billie Jean King Cup after Tennis Australia criticism over lacking Australian Open wildcard
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On her return to the Billie Jean King Cup squad, Arina Rodionova has tried to maneuver on from her brutal criticism of Tennis Australia (TA).
Rodionova was controversially ignored for a wildcard spot at January’s Australian Open regardless of being the nation’s top-ranked ladies’s participant.
Rodionova claimed she was “not favored”, saying TA would have been “happy” she exited on the qualifying stage of her dwelling grand slam.
However forward of Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup tie in opposition to Mexico in Brisbane this weekend, the 34-year-old tried to downplay her feedback from three months in the past.
“It is two very various things,” Rodionova mentioned on Tuesday of representing Australia and her criticism of TA.
“On the finish, I did not qualify [for the Australian Open] like I in all probability ought to have and I did not. In order that’s on me.
“If I need to give myself the chance to play on huge courts, then I ought to win extra usually. So I will strive to try this.”
Presently ranked 103rd on the earth, Rodionova has been overtaken by fellow Russian-born Aussie Daria Saville, at the moment at 94 within the WTA rankings.
Rodionova pushed again when quizzed on new Australia captain Sam Stosur’s involvement with TA.
“Sam was at all times in my nook; it was probably not Sam’s resolution. I have not actually had any conversations with anybody about that,” she mentioned of her former nationwide teammate.
“Within the Australian Open, I am taking part in for myself. Right here I am representing the nation, so I do not see any correlation between these two occasions.
“No matter occurred in January, it is occurred in January.
“I am actually completely satisfied to be a part of the workforce once more after a couple of years.”
Australia has not performed a house Billie Jean King Cup tie since 2019 when the competitors was nonetheless referred to as the Federation Cup.
That 12 months, Stosur — who in December 2023 was appointed to succeed Alicia Molik as Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup captain — joined Ash Barty to steer the nation to its first closing in 26 years.
Doubles ace Ellen Perez and teenage expertise Taylah Preston have additionally been included for the April 12-13 tie at Pat Rafter Enviornment.
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AAP
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