‘Whatever happens, happened’: Rodionova leaves gap behind at Tennis Australia ahead of Billie Jean King Cup tie

In her return to the Billie Jean King Cup team, Arina Rodionova has attempted to put her brutal criticism of Tennis Australia (TA) behind her.

Rodionova was controversially overlooked for a wild card spot at January’s Australian Open despite being the country’s highest-ranked player.

Rodionova claimed that she “didn’t like him”, and said that TA would have been “happy” to have exited her home Grand Slam qualifying stage.

But ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup match between Australia and Mexico in Brisbane this weekend, the 34-year-old attempted to downplay her comments from three months ago.

“They are two very different things,” Rodionova said Tuesday of Australia’s representation and her criticism of TA.

“If I want to have the opportunity to play on big courts, then I should win more often. So I will try to do that.”

Currently ranked 103rd in the world, Rodionova has been overtaken by fellow Russian-born Australian Daria Saville, currently ranked 94th in the WTA rankings.

Rodionova responded when asked about new Australia captain Sam Stosur’s involvement in TA.

“Sam was always on my side; it wasn’t really Sam’s decision. I haven’t really had any conversations with anyone about that,” he said of his former national teammate.

“At the Australian Open I play for myself. I represent the country here, so I don’t see any correlation between those two events.

“What happened in January, happened in January.

“I’m very happy to be part of the team again after a few years.”

Australia has not played a Billie Jean King Cup tie at home since 2019, when the competition was still known as the Federation Cup.

That year, Stosur, who in December 2023 was appointed to succeed Alicia Molik as Australia’s Billie Jean King Cup captain, teamed up with Ash Barty to lead the nation to its first final in 26 years.

Doubles ace Ellen Perez and talented teenager Taylah Preston have also been included for the April 12-13 tie at Pat Rafter Arena.

AAP