Some of the WTA’s very best are set to battle it out for their nation in Billie Jean King Cup action this week, with a place at the Finals in Seville this November at stake.
With four countries – hosts Spain, reigning champions Canada, 2023 finalists Italy, and Czechia – already guaranteed a place at the Finals, eight more will seal their spot across Friday and Saturday.
With no WTA events taking place this week, some of the biggest names in the game will be in action – including these seven WTA stars.
Iga Swiatek
The dominant force in women’s tennis, Swiatek has a formidable record representing Poland in the competition.
The world No 1 has won seven of her nine singles rubbers, including five in a row, and dropped just a solitary game across her two ties against Romania in her last showing two years ago.
With her in action, Poland will fancy their chances of defeating 2022 champions Switzerland.
Naomi Osaka
Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka will be making her first appearance for Japan in three years – and her first since becoming a mother.
The former world No 1 has a 5-2 record in singles action, including a win in a previous rubber against upcoming opponents Kazakhstan, though was beaten 6-0, 6-3 in her last rubber in the competition.
Currently 193rd in the WTA Rankings, Osaka will be Japan’s No 2 player behind Nao Hibino.
Simona Halep
One of the most surprise entrants is two-time major winner and former world No 1 Halep, who will represent Romania for the first time since the end of her doping suspension.
Halep has an impressive 20-5 singles win-loss record representing her country at the competition, dating back to her debut in 2010, though has not played the competition since 2019.
With Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian also in Romania’s team to face Ukraine, it will be interesting to see if and when she features.
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Angelique Kerber
Much like Osaka, Kerber – a former finalist with Germany – will be in Billie Jean King Cup action for the first time since welcoming her first child last year.
The three-time major winner has played in 17 ties for her nation but does not have the best record, with a 14-15 win-loss record in singles action; she has lost her last three rubbers.
And she may have a tough time of things if she is selected to take to the court against a Brazilian side led by Beatriz Haddad Maia.
Jessica Pegula
The US perhaps have greater depth than any other nation in the women’s game currently, and world No 5 Pegula will lead them this week in the absence of American No 1 Coco Gauff.
The 30-year-old does not have much experience in the competition but has a good 3-1 record in singles action, with two wins in America’s tie against Austria 12 months ago.
With Madison Keys and Emma Navarro joining Pegula in Lindsay Davenport’s squad, the US will be favourites to beat Belgium.
Emma Raducanu
Former US Open champion Raducanu will be in Billie Jean King Cup action for just the second time in her career as she returns to the competition for the first time in two years.
Against Czechia two years ago, the Brit won her maiden tie against Tereza Martincova but was then beaten by Marketa Vondrousova on the clay courts of Prague.
Having been recalled by captain Anne Keothavong, Raducanu will be on the clay again as she heads to France to take on a French team anchored by Caroline Garcia
Elina Svitolina
Having represented her nation with pride across the tennis circuit over the last 12 months, Svitolina will be in action for Ukraine for the first time since 2012, being another player back in action after welcoming her first child.
The former world No 3 has a solid 14-8 record in singles rubbers across the event and won her last two ties against Japan in April 2021.
