Emma Raducanu confirmed to make Billy Jean King Cup debut for Great Britain
Emma Raducanu will make her Billie Jean Cup debut next month when she lines up for Great Britain against the Czech Republic.
Raducanu, who has enjoyed a rapid rise since becoming the only tennis player in history to win a Grand Slam as a qualifier at the US Open last year, will take her place in a youthful GB line-up.
Veteran Heather Watson will not play as she focuses on improving her singles ranking instead, while Katie Boulter will also miss out with a foot injury.
That will leave Raducanu, Katie Swan and Sonay Kartal as Britain’s representatives.
Curiously, the tie will be played on clay in Prague, which is a surface Emma Raducanu is yet to make her professional debut upon.
“Every tie creates a unique pressure and intensity, which I’m sure our players will thrive on,” Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong said.
Your @BJKCup team to face the Czech Republic
Read more 👇
— LTA (@the_LTA) March 18, 2022
“Even though we have a difficult challenge ahead against the Czechs, I have every confidence our squad will do themselves and their country proud.”
Britain will go into the tie as big outsiders, with the star-studded Czechs winning the competition six times since 2011.
Raducanu has struggled since her remarkable US Open triumph, although she has climbed to number 22 in the WTA world rankings.
🎾 Free >> Receive our legendary newsletter
🎾 Join >> Tennishead CLUB, the world’s only virtual tennis club
🎾 Social >>Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube
🎾 Order >> World’s best tennis magazine
🎾 Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted retail partner
