Great Britain’s team for their Billie Jean King Cup tie against Australia continues to grow weaker.
Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter already decided not to play the event, which takes place between 10th-11th April on the Australian Open’s John Cain Arena in Melbourne.
Sonay Kartal, Mika Stojsavljevic, Harriet Dart, and Jodie Burrage were called up for the tie, which decides the team who will progress to the finals in September.
Kartal has now pulled out of the event due to injury with an immediate replacement announced by captain Anne Keothavong.
Sonay Kartal adds to Great Britain’s depleted misery at the Billie Jean King Cup
Kartal pulled out of the Miami Open with a back injury and that is the reason she will not play the Billie Jean King Cup this month.
In a statement, Kartal said: “After having some scans it’s clear that I’m going to need a little more time to let it heal.”
Sonay Kartal is now Britain’s best WTA player… do you agree? 🤔
Is Emma Raducanu still the best? Let us know in the comments ⬇️
[That] sadly means I won’t be joining the BJK girls in Australia but [I’m] wishing them the best of luck for the tie.”
Kartal will be replaced by Katie Swan, who has enjoyed quite the comeback in the sport over the last two years.
Swan was unranked this time last year, but four ITF titles have helped her soar to an impressive world number 264 on the WTA Tour rankings.
Which Australian players will compete against Great Britain?
Missing their four best players, in Raducanu, Boulter, Kartal, and Fran Jones, Great Britain will have their work cut out for them against a difficult Australia squad.
Thankfully for Great Britain, their top seed Maya Joint is set to miss the action with a back injury, but Australia still have a far stronger side than Anne Keothavong has at her disposal.
The Australia team will consist of Talia Gibson, Kimberly Birrell, Storm Hunter, Ellen Perez, and Emerson Jones.
Gibson, in particular, is in red hot form, having reached the quarter-finals of Indian Wells and the round of 16 at the Miami Open.
Great Britain will need special performances from Burrage and Swan if they are to qualify for September’s finals.
