Emma Raducanu, Katie Boulter, and Francesca Jones are not included in Team GB's Billie Jean King Cup squad for the qualifier tie against Australia, according to multiple reports. The squad consists of Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage, and Mika Stojsavljevic. Raducanu has committed to a WTA Tour event in Linz during the same week as the qualifier tie.
The qualifier tie between Team GB and Australia will take place on April 10-11 at John Cain Arena in Melbourne Park, multiple reports indicate. A fifth player can be named closer to the time for Team GB's Billie Jean King Cup squad. The qualifier tie clashes with the beginning of the European clay-court season. Anne Keothavong, the captain of Team GB's Billie Jean King Cup team, noted, 'It's a difficult time of year to be going back to Australia. It's the start of the clay-court season for most of the players. I know most of the players take huge pride in representing Great Britain in this competition, but they also have to make choices for their own tennis and for their own health.'
It's a difficult time of year to be going back to Australia. It's the start of the clay-court season for most of the players. I know most of the players take huge pride in representing Great Britain in this competition, but they also have to make choices for their own tennis and for their own health.
Australia's Billie Jean King Cup team for the qualifier tie includes Talia Gibson, Maya Joint, Storm Hunter, Kimberly Birrell, and Ellen Perez, according to multiple reports. Talia Gibson has recently achieved significant upsets, including wins over top-20 players and a top-10 win over Jasmine Paolini.
Sonay Kartal has a 3-1 record in Billie Jean King Cup competitions, multiple reports indicate. Mika Stojsavljevic is making her debut in the senior Billie Jean King Cup team.
But, look, for the girls who have agreed to be part of the team, it's a tough ask to take on the Australians, who have fielded their strongest team. But you have to give yourself a chance and go out there as best prepared as possible, treat it for what it is, and have a go. We've been underdogs before in this competition and have been able to surprise many people, and got to go in with the same attitude.
Anne Keothavong believes Team GB can cause a surprise in the qualifier tie against Australia despite the absences of top players. She stated, 'But, look, for the girls who have agreed to be part of the team, it's a tough ask to take on the Australians, who have fielded their strongest team. But you have to give yourself a chance and go out there as best prepared as possible, treat it for what it is, and have a go. We've been underdogs before in this competition and have been able to surprise many people, and got to go in with the same attitude.' Keothavong added, 'Playing away from home against a strong nation like Australia is going to be tough, but we always embrace these weeks together as a team and will be up for the challenge in Melbourne.' She also said, 'We've got players with great experience in this competition in our team and it's an exciting opportunity for Mika to join the senior team for the first time. It's an iconic sporting venue and we'd really love for all the Brits in Melbourne to come along and cheer us on in April.'
I've seen too much of Talia Gibson recently! She's a great tennis player, and even when I saw her compete in Australia at the start of the year...
Playing away from home against a strong nation like Australia is going to be tough, but we always embrace these weeks together as a team and will be up for the challenge in Melbourne.
We've got players with great experience in this competition in our team and it's an exciting opportunity for Mika to join the senior team for the first time. It's an iconic sporting venue and we'd really love for all the Brits in Melbourne to come along and cheer us on in April.