The best birthday present is Gajsa Rinaldo Persson – Swedish Tennis Association

It will be a special weekend for Gaja Rinaldo Persson. One of the highlights of his career awaits just as his birthday is about to be celebrated.

Kajsa Rinaldo Persson has a good year behind her and has moved up the rankings. She is now third in Sweden behind Rebecca Pettersson and Mirjam Björklund. Gajsa is ranked 372 and has made it to the quarter-finals since the last tournament in Glasgow. In fact there have been two matches in England in the last month. He first qualified for the 100,000 event at Shrewsbury but fell three seats in the first round. And then the most recent match was at $60,000. Gajza was forced to bow out in the quarterfinals against third seed Daria Snikur, ranked 154th of Ukraine, 6-7(9), 6-0, 2-1.
– I played in two tournaments and qualified in both, so it was intense in many tournaments. He didn’t play for four or five weeks before that. I got a feeling in my groin and didn’t want to risk anything near the Billie Jean King trophy. Now I feel better again.

Meanwhile, she broke down with mixed feelings as it was her first time making it to the quarter-finals of the $60,000 tournament.
– I feel like I’ve developed my game throughout the year, so it’s nice to start showing results. But of course it’s sad that I broke when I was in the quarter finals.

Waiting group this weekend. Photo: Lawn Tennis Association

This weekend’s play-offs in London are far from the first visit to the British Isles. Earlier in the year, Gajsa played three matches in a row here.
– It’s too much. It is near here and the matches are always well organized. “I told Johanna before these last two matches that I will go here and check the situation of the British players before our match,” Gajsa says with a laugh.
– Many BJKC players from Great Britain are my age and a bit older. Harriet Dart was at the two tournaments I played in England and Scotland now and I met Jodie Burrage last year in Glasgow so I have a good idea.

Apart from Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage, the British team includes Heather Watson, Katie Boulder and debutant Mia Lumsden.
Gajsa Rinaldo Persson realizes Sweden are coming out of a disadvantage but sees opportunity.
– We expect it to be difficult, but we believe in ourselves. You always have a chance, we go for the win. Let’s do our best and see how far it goes.

Kajsa Rinaldo Persson and Keiza Hennemann during one of their group stage doubles matches in Turkey. Photo: Daniel Kobach / Biltbyron

Since Tuesday, she has been training at the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with Kajsa Hennemann, Lisa Jaar and Bella Bergquist Larsson. No doubt she thrives on gangs.
– We know each other well now and are happy together. Clare (Pedersen, physio) was also in Turkey. It’s a great community and as Lisa (Jar) said the other day, “If everyone feels better, you do better too”.

In the current BJKC team, Kajsa Rinaldo Persson is actually the oldest. However, she doesn’t want to talk about any role as a mother.
– Haha, no, we have Claire and Dove (Kjeller in SvTF) who are both older and take on the role very well. Even though I turn 26 on Saturday, I don’t feel like I’m there yet.

It might be silly to ask what the best gift is, but we ask it anyway.
– It will be an interesting way to celebrate a birthday and it is clear that a 2-0 from Saturday will be the best prize. It would have been absolutely wonderful.

Broadcast times are SVT

November 11
15.00-20.00, SVT Play
15.00-17.50, SVT1/play

November 12
13.00-20.00, SVT Play
13.15-13.55, SVT1/Play
13.55-14.30, SVT2/play