Swiatek, Raducanu, Osaka & Halep To Play 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers In April

Swiatek, Raducanu, Osaka & Halep To Play 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers In April

by Nurein Ahmed

A total of 16 countries will participate in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, and the squads have been revealed by their respective team captains.

The draw for the qualifying rounds of the 61st edition of the biggest women's tennis team competition was released last November. Several of the WTA's biggest stars have committed to play in ties scheduled in the second week of April between the 12th and 13th.

The eight winning teams will advance to the group stage of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which will be held in November in Seville. The presence of two former and one current World No. 1 has garnered all the attention.

Poland's away tie against Switzerland will see them recall Iga Swiatek back to the team for the first time since 2022. The four-time Grand Slam champion turned down the chance to represent her country on multiple occasions in the past year because of complicated scheduling.

Great Britain will face France in a repeat of last year's tie. This time, Anne Keothavong has reinstated 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu back to the fold, joining San Diego winner Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, and Heather Watson.

One of the most intriguing ties will take place at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, where Japan will battle against Kazakhstan. Naomi Osaka is expected to play her first match in the competition since becoming a mother.

The Kazakhs will be without World No. 4 Elena Rybakina, who is recovering from gastrointestinal issues that forced her to withdraw from Indian Wells. Ukraine's tie against Romania will be played in Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, in the United States, because of the ongoing war.

The Ukrainians were heavy favorites on paper and spearheaded by former World No. 3 Elina Svitolina. But the pendulum has swung a little bit following Simona Halep's imminent return to tennis.

The two-time Grand Slam champion has cleared her name from the doping hall of infamy and has been included in Romania's team alongside the experienced Ana Bogdan, Jaqueline Cristian, Anca Todoni, and Mara Gae.

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