'IN TENNIS, I'M KAZAKH': MEET THE AUSSIE COACH THRILLED WITH KAZAKHSTAN'S BJK CUP WIN

Kazakhstan won the Billie Jean King Cup (BJK Cup) qualifying spot ahead of Australia in Brisbane this week. 

But there was one Aussie coach in the crowd who was delighted with their win. 

Jamie Kirkman, 39, is the coach of Kazakh player Zarina Diyas and was with the team in Brisbane.

It’s been quite the journey for Kirkman, from a small North Queensland tennis club to coaching on the world stage. 

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His own playing career was cut short by a shoulder reconstruction as a junior. 

Instead of giving away the game, he followed his parents into coaching.

He and his mum, Jenny, set up JJK Coaching at the Tennis Whitsunday club in North Queensland.

From North Queensland to Kazakhstan

But how did Kirkman go from a sleepy beachside club all the way to Kazakhstan? 

"I was coaching in North Queensland for a few years, and then went to the US and coached for Nicholas Bollettieri for two years," he explained to The First Serve. 

"I then went out on my own and set up an academy in Florida, but then COVID happened."

He returned to Australia "a little disheveled" and contemplated giving up coaching to go into mining. 

However, one call changed the trajectory of his tennis career. 

"I got a random phone call, and I went to China and worked with one of the state bodies for a period of time," he said.

While based in China, he made the connections with Kazakhstan. 

"I got a call if I’d work with a Kazakh male, which I did, and then finished with him at Indian Wells last year, and a day later, I was working with Zarina."

Coaching Zarina Diyas

Zarina Diyas is a 31-year-old veteran on the comeback trail. 

She has been ranked as high as No.31, has won a WTA title, and has played 21 BJK Cup ties for Kazakhstan. 

With consistent injuries, Diyas had a two-year break from the game before returning for the BJK Cup in April 2024. 

"With any comeback, there's lots of peaks and troughs," Kirkman said. 

"We played one match last year, and the next match, the body would be injured, and then we'd be out again. And then next tournament, the same thing. 

"It was not until October in Beijing, where we qualified, had two really good wins against two really good players that we started to turn the corner."

Under Kirkman’s guidance, Diyas has risen from being unranked to No.327 in the world.

This included a title at the Turkish W50 Kayseri title in late 2024. 

"We've had a good pre-season this year, and it's just a matter of time at this point," he stated.

Aussie or Kazakh?

Although the long travel to Australia has impacted the players, Kirkman has had the bonus of coming home for a visit. 

However, on the sidelines for Kazakhstan, he was up cheering and supporting the team on nearly every point against Australia. 

When asked if he felt any mixed emotions about that experience, Kirkman responded honestly.

"Look, not really," he said.

"Kazakhstan has made me feel very at home, and I feel part of the team.

"For me, when we're playing Australia, I'm Kazakh, and I want Kazakhstan to win, and losing to Australia is something that I hated the thought of. 

"In every other sport, I cheer for Australia, but in tennis, I'm Kazakh."

And now that the team has qualified for September's BJK Cup Finals in Shenzhen, does he think they can go all the way?

"We've got a great team with both Elena, Yulia, and Zarina in third spot, I think we've got a good chance to win at the end of the year."

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