Today, the official line-ups of all teams competing in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals were announced. This year’s edition brings quite a revolution compared to previous seasons.
The major change is the date - and it’s certainly a step forward. In recent years, the finals of the women's national team world championships were held in the second week of November, traditionally one of the deadest spots in the entire calendar. Coming right after a draining season, and always scheduled just days around the WTA Finals (often held in far-off locations), this timing usually resulted in much weaker line-ups than possible, failing to reflect the seriousness of the event - or at least how seriously it wanted to be perceived.
This time, the final tournament has been moved to the third week of September, a far more convenient period in the transition between the US and Asian hard-court swings. The location is also fitting, with China hosting the event in Shenzhen - close to where most of the WTA’s top players are heading this time of year as they gear up for the final push in the WTA 1000 events.
There are also fewer teams involved this time, but certainly not less emotion. The action will begin right from the first point, as the tournament features just eight teams, kicking off directly with quarterfinals in a straight knockout format. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming matchups and squads:
Kazakhstan vs. USA
Elena Rybakina made a highly appreciated effort for her country by traveling to Australia in April to help Kazakhstan secure a place in the finals, and she will be the undisputed leader of the team, joined by the experienced Yulia Putintseva - always one not to be underestimated.Their task will be extremely tough, though, as they face team USA.
On paper, the United States has a remarkably strong team - something that surprisingly hasn't always been the case in recent years. The aforementioned unfortunate placement of BJKC finals in the calendar has resulted with the team lacking their top racquets and being led by the players who were just letting down year by year, getting knocked out on the earliest stages of finals each time.
This time should be different: the current line-up includes Jessica Pegula, Australian Open champion Madison Keys, Emma Navarro - hovering around the top 10 for a year - and Hailey Baptiste, one of the most improved players of the season. Add to that Taylor Townsend, one of the top doubles specialists in the world, and this becomes arguably the team to beat - if, of course, the line-up doesn’t change dramatically by September.
China vs. Italy
Qinwen Zheng will be doing everything she can to lead the host nation on home soil. The 2024 Olympic champion has been battling elbow injuries since the start of the year - which also rules her out of the upcoming American swing - but there’s hope she’ll win the race against time to compete for China.
Other notable names include Xin Yu Wang, who shocked the field with a run to the final of the WTA 500 in Berlin last month, and Shuai Zhang, the 36-year-old veteran making a commendable comeback after her infamous losing streak. After winning the ITF title in Nottingham, she’s on track to return to the top 100 (currently ranked 112th). Zhang is also a highly accomplished doubles player, an asset in this format.
China will face the defending champions, Italy, who arrive in Shenzhen looking to retain their crown. Only four players have been announced so far - team leader Jasmine Paolini, joined by Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti, and Sara Errani, who has formed one of the most dangerous doubles partnerships on tour alongside Paolini.
Japan vs. Great Britain
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals always provide a stage for surprises, and Japan was certainly one of them last year, finishing as runners-up in Malaga. Despite a lack of household names, their team spirit and depth took them far. Now, they’re significantly boosted by the inclusion of Naomi Osaka, who last played for Japan during the qualifiers last year.
She is joined by Ena Shibahara, Moyuka Uchijima, and the doubles pairing of Eri Hozumi / Shuko Aoyama.
They’ll face an intriguing clash with Great Britain, who arrive with no clear favorite but a promising trio: Katie Boulter, Emma Raducanu, and Sonay Kartal, who has recently broken into the top 50.
Ukraine vs. Spain
Ukraine appears to have no weak links - just as they did in April’s qualifiers. With Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk anchoring the singles, and the steadily improving Yuliia Starobutseva offering further depth, they look solid. Add the Kichenok sisters as a top doubles pairing, and the squad looks perfectly suited to this team format.
Spain, meanwhile, plays its first BJKC event in three years that is not hosted at home. But their internal issues remain. Paula Badosa, a world-class player when healthy, is once again struggling with recurring injuries, and it’s unclear whether she’ll be fit enough to compete at full strength.
Cristina Bucsa and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro are solid players hovering around the top 100 but haven’t shown much recent progress. Bucsa does, however, have the tools to be effective in doubles. As it stands, this might be the most one-sided tie of the quarterfinals, with Ukraine entering as clear favorites.
The event will be held from September 16th to 21st. With two months to go, the rosters may still change - but with five top-10 players confirmed and every squad fielding at least one high-level singles player, this edition promises to be the most competitive and exciting Billie Jean King Cup Finals in years.
