Billie Jean King Cup 2024: Anne Keothavong names five-strong team ahead of Finals in Malaga
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Lexus Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup Team Captain, Anne Keothavong, has announced her team to represent Great Britain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals between 15-20 November.
The Brits are set to take on Germany in their first match of the knock-out stages on Friday 15 November at Malaga’s Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena.
Keothavong names a strong team for the showpiece event of the women’s team tennis calendar, including four of the five players that defeated France in their qualifying match back in April.
Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team
- Katie Boulter (world No.35)
- Harriet Dart (world No.61)
- Emma Raducanu (world No.72)
- Heather Watson (world No.184 / world No.58 – doubles)
- Olivia Nicholls (world No.50 – doubles)
Speaking on her team selections, Keothavong said, “We are really looking forward to the Finals in Malaga after qualifying following our fantastic weekend in France in April. Our team have created excellent memories and put in outstanding performances in this competition in recent years and we will relish the opportunity in November.
“There is still a lot of tennis to be played, and changes can be made up until the day before our first match.”
Tickets are still available to purchase for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga. Watch the Lexus Great Britain team take on Germany in the first round on Friday 15 November and see if the Brits can fight their way to a first Billie Jean King Cup title.
Now, here’s some more information on the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team set to battle for the title in Malaga:
Katie Boulter
- Age: 28
- Ranking: 35
- Billie Jean King Cup ties played: 12
- Billie Jean King Cup record: 12-4
British No.1 Boulter will spearhead Great Britain at the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga.
Since making her tournament debut in 2018, Boulter has become a trusty member in Keothavong’s squad, having represented the Brits in 12 ties so far. April’s qualifying tie against France saw Boulter grow into the challenge which took place on the clay courts in Le Chaudron, Le Portel. The three-time WTA titlist bounced back from day one defeat against Diane Parry to clinch a straight sets victory over Clara Burel on her least experienced surface.
The 28-year-old went on to carry her Billie Jean King Cup form into the summer grass court season where she successfully defended her Rothesay Open Nottingham title before making the final eight at the Rothesay International Eastbourne. She also reached the third round of the National Bank Open and the second round of the US Open.
Harriet Dart
- Age: 28
- Ranking: 70
- Billie Jean King Cup ties played: 9
- Billie Jean King Cup record: 6-7
Dart will arrive in Malaga in fine form, following a standout few months in her career. The 28-year-old holds the tools to do damage in the singles and doubles and has recorded career-high rankings in both this year (70 – singles, 61 – doubles).
Dart shone on the grass this summer, where she reached the quarter-final in Eastbourne and matched her tournament best run of the third round at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, the British No.2 has also produced some sensational displays in the doubles game and recently reached the semi-final of the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati alongside Ellen Perez.
The 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Glasgow saw Dart dug produce some of the best tennis of her career to take down the likes of former world No.2 Paula Badosa and 2022 Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic in straight sets. Dart’s experience of competing for her country on the big stage, combined with her impressive form this year will make her a fundamental addition to the British team ahead of their quarter-final clash against Germany.
Emma Raducanu
- Age: 21
- Ranking: 72
- Billie Jean King Cup ties played: 2
- Billie Jean King Cup record: 3-1
Raducanu played a vital role in Great Britain’s victory over France back in April. Competing in just her second Billie Jean King Cup tie, Raducanu rose to the occasion on the French clay to secure two wins out of two for the Brits. The 2021 US Open champion notched two comeback wins over former world No.4 Caroline Garcia and rising star Diane Parry to help book her nation’s spot in November’s finals.
Following the qualifying tie, the 21-year-old had an extraordinary summer on the grass which saw her reach the semi-finals at the Rothesay Open, quarter-final at the Rothesay International and the fourth round at Wimbledon – her best performance at a major since her victory at Flushing Meadows three years ago.
She also made it to the quarter-finals at the Citi Open during the North American hard-court swing and will be looking to carry her form into the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga.
Heather Watson
- Age: 32
- Ranking: 184 – singles; 58 - doubles
- Billie Jean King Cup ties played: 35
- Billie Jean King Cup record: 31-15
Billie Jean King Cup stalwart Watson could be set to compete in a remarkable 36th tie for her country, after once again being selected to join the team. The 32-year-old boasts an incredible 31-15 win record, and is a reliable weapon in both the singles and doubles games.
Watson’s last Billie Jean King Cup appearance came at the 2022 Finals in Glasgow, where she inspired one of the best British comebacks after producing a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Spain’s Nuria Parrizas-Diaz, before her teammates went on to make it a clean sweep and reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1981.
This year, Watson picked up her first singles title in four years at the W50 Nottingham back in July, dropping just one set en route to the title before she joined forces with compatriot Boulter for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where they reached the women’s doubles quarter-final.
Olivia Nicholls
- Age: 29
- Ranking: 50 - doubles
- Billie Jean King Cup ties played: 4
- Billie Jean King Cup record: 3-1
Doubles specialist Nicholls will return to the Billie Jean King Cup squad for the first time since April 2023 when Great Britain faced France in their qualifying tie at the Coventry Arena.
Nicholls made her Billie Jean King Cup debut almost two years ago at the Finals in Glasgow when she and Alicia Barnett teamed up to clinch a dramatic doubles win over Kazakhstan. They then went on to upset Spain in their second tie to secure the Brits’ place in the semi-finals.
The new women’s doubles British No.1 has continued to flourish on the WTA tour this year – picking up two tour-level titles and reaching a career-high ranking of world No.50 to be awarded a well-deserved spot in Keothavong’s team heading to Malaga.
