“That’s on me,” Arina Rodionova buries the hatchet over not being liked on tour as she shoulders responsibility for her success

The current World No. 103 returns to the national team for the upcoming leg of BJK Cup matches.

“That’s on me,” Arina Rodionova buries the hatchet over not being liked on tour as she shoulders responsibility for her success

Arina Rodionova (Image via IMAGO)

Australia’s second-highest-ranked singles player, Arina Rodionova, makes her return to the national squad for the 2024 BJK Cup qualifiers. She was involved in a controversy earlier this year, raising speculations about her participation in the event this year. 

Her ranking failed to grant her automatic qualification in the main draw of the 2024 Australian Open. Hence, she expected a wildcard, being the highest-ranked Aussie woman then.

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However, TA (Tennis Australia) didn’t grant her the wildcard, forcing her to play in the qualifiers. To her misfortune, she crashed out in the qualifiers. 

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She had been very critical of the association, calling them ‘biased’ against her. But she seems to have let the bygones be bygones. As she gears up for national duty, she showed maturity in her answers when asked about the whole episode. 

It’s two very different things. At the end, I didn’t qualify like I probably should have and I didn’t. So that’s on me. If I want to give myself the opportunity to play on big courts, then I should win more often. So I’ll try to do that. Sam was always in my corner; it was not really Sam’s decision.

Said Rodionova, as per ABC News.

She further toned down the speculations that could have created a rift between the national teams. The World No. 103 reminded everyone that the Grand Slam and BJK Cup are different events, and the incidents at the two shouldn’t be correlated. 

I haven't really had any conversations with anyone about that. In the Australian Open, I'm playing for myself. Here I'm representing the country, so I don't see any correlation between those two events. Whatever happened in January, it's happened in January. I'm really happy to be part of the team again after a few years.
Added the Aussie.

Tennis Australia and the whole setup would be happy with Rodionova’s statement. Had she criticized TA again, team harmony could have been hampered. However, the caution taken by the 34-year-old will ensure the camaraderie is good and the team can stand together to qualify for the BJK Cup Finals. 

Arina Rodionova would count on home support as they take on Mexico

Australia gets a slight advantage as their qualifying clash against Mexico will be played Down Under. The match is scheduled at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane on outdoor hard courts. With a place in the Finals on line, the women would count on their compatriots to cheer them to victory.

Arina Rodionova
Arina Rodionova in practice at the BJK Cup qualifiers (Image via IMAGO)

Alongside Rodionova, the Australian team comprises Daria Saville, Storm Hunter, Taylah Preston, and Ellen Perrez. Sam Stosur continues in her role as the team Captain. The winners from the qualifying matches will be directly drafted in the Finals that will take place in November later this year.

The teams losing will have one final shot at the playoffs to make the finals. Host nation Spain, defending champ Canada, and last year’s runners-up Italy, alongside wildcard Czechia, have already qualified for the final event of the ‘World Cup of Tennis’. 

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