'WE'VE MADE HISTORY': FROM MELBOURNE RESIDENCE TO KIWI SUCCESS, MEET ONE OF NEW ZEALAND'S BJK CUP HEROES

Team New Zealand celebrate qualification for the BJK Cup playoffs. (Photo: Tennis New Zealand)

When New Zealanders and Australians view each other, they ought to differentiate themselves with their own unique traditions and heritage.

But that doesn't mean there aren't similarities. Both were colonised by the British Empire between the late 1700s and mid-1800s, and share similar cultural beliefs, leading to a healthy "Trans-Tasman relationship".

Regarding sport, there is also a resemblance to tennis being down the pecking order of most popular sports, with New Zealand living and breathing rugby union and cricket, and Australia heavily invested in AFL and NRL.

By entering the code TFS2025 you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items when you shop online at www.racquetworld.com.au

Although Australia's neighbours from across the Ditch have Grand Slam doubles champions currently competing on tour in Michael Venus and Erin Routliffe, they haven't produced the Lleyton Hewitt's and Ash Barty's of the world in the Open era when it comes to singles.

So when New Zealand qualified for the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs for the first time since 1993, of course, the emotions poured out uncontrollably. Perhaps this is the dawn of a new era?

One player who helped them progress past the Asia/Oceania round was 22-year-old Monique Barry.

The current world No.470 (a career-high) claimed back-to-back singles wins over Thailand and Chinese Taipei to propel her nation to top spot, winning both her doubles ties against South Korea and hosts India.

Yet the script could have read entirely differently.

Born in New Zealand, Barry moved to the Gold Coast at a young age before her family opted to reside in Melbourne as she developed her tennis craft in her teenage years.

"That's basically where it all started with tennis, because we had just moved to a new country and I wanted to get into a sport," Barry told The First Serve.

"I actually went into athletics, but it was the wrong season to join. So when I was coming back from the athletics track, there was a tennis court on the same street and I saw kids playing. I was just watching, and one of the coaches went up to me and gave me a racquet and said, 'Do you want to try?', and I replied, 'Yeah, why not?'

"It all sparked from there. It was kind of random, but it's led to here, which is great.

"I was playing on the Gold Coast until I was about nine, and then I actually moved to Perth until I was 14 before moving to Melbourne, where I've been ever since."

With victory against Thailand securing a 32-year first, it wasn't until moments after the final ball was struck that the magnitude of the achievement sank in.

"It's very emotional. You've just kind of realised sitting there like, 'We've made history'," she said.

"I felt really proud to be out there and contribute to that. I was just thinking about everyone that's helped us get to this point; even the teams in previous years were supporting us from back home.

"I'm hoping it gives New Zealand some hope about women's tennis and that it's really strong."

For Barry, 2025 has been a year to cherish as the first third of the season nears a close. On top of her career-high rank, she won her maiden WTA match in qualifying at the Auckland Open, taking down top-seed Ena Shibahara in straight sets.

Tennis is a unique sport. It's not for players who struggle to take losses well. You have to learn to pick yourself up and go again, with the next tournament always around the corner.

Now adding success at Billie Jean King Cup level, the significance of how positive results can impact a player when the margins are super thin cannot be underestimated.

"Those are huge milestones to give you that belief that it doesn't seem as far away as when you're travelling or grinding on the tour," she shared.

"Sometimes I think to myself, 'How am I going to get there at some stage?' But then you get the opportunity, and you take those, you have to. You can't take it for granted."

Because she has trained predominantly in Australia before bursting onto the professional scene, only recently has Barry started to learn the crux of how New Zealand are taking strides in developing as a tennis nation.

"I haven't really been a part of [the New Zealand Federation] because I've been living abroad, so I wasn't part of the set up when I was a junior. I didn't really know what was going on," she admitted.

"But obviously I've been involved with the program more with Tennis New Zealand for the past two or three years.

"I think the coaches are great, I get along with them so well, and they're a big help in my development. We've started to get the girls more together, because there are so many girls coming up in our age group who are in the middle of or finishing college, and we're trying to form a close-knit team instead of being a team of individuals.

"A massive difference has been the culture and togetherness, which has translated into results. We believe in each other and want everyone to succeed."

Last year, Wimbledon discovered an unknown talent from New Zealand lurking in the shadows — Lulu Sun.

Having previously plied her trade at Texas college, the 24-year-old stunned the tennis world by reaching the quarter-finals of the All England Club as a qualifier.

The world No.45 helped the Kiwis get over the line in Pune by maintaining a 100 per cent record in her four singles rubbers.

"You don't get to sit next to the world's top-50 every day," Barry said.

"The difference with her is she's an amazing person. She's so kind, and you don't feel like you have to impress her; you're not scared to talk to her because she's very inviting and gives advice when you need it, which is the start of changing that culture."

As New Zealand eagerly await the draw for November's playoffs, they could be pitted against Australia, who failed to qualify for the BJK Cup Finals in Shenzhen.

But for now, considering the heartbreak endured over the years, the mentality is as strong as ever within the Kiwi camp.

"I think we'll wait until that comes, but I'm hoping we do well in November," Barry said when asked whether the team has discussed the playoffs.

"We want to be ready for it and just enjoy the moment for the girls and New Zealand tennis, which I'm really excited for."

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