Billie Jean King Cup 2022: Great Britain vs Czech Republic – how to watch, UK TV times, live stream, schedule and location
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This weekend Great Britain are set to face 11-time Billie Jean King Cup Champions, the Czech Republic, in Prague, for a place in the 2022 finals. We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the upcoming qualifying tie and how you can follow the action from home.
What is the Billie Jean King Cup?
In September 2020, the formerly known Fed Cup changed its name in honour of former World No.1 Billie Jean King, shaping what is now widely acknowledged as the Billie Jean King Cup.
With more than 100 nations competing in the tournament, the Billie Jean King Cup is the world’s largest international team competition for women.
This month 16 teams – including Great Britain and the Czech Republic – are set to play in qualifying ties for a place in the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The eight nations to qualify for the finals will take their place in the last 12 alongside the previous years’ champions and runners-up, plus Slovakia and Belgium after both countries received a bye to the Finals.
All losing nations, however, will compete in the Play-offs for a spot in next year’s qualifiers.
When are Great Britain playing the Czech Republic in the Billie Jean King Cup 2022?
The British Billie Jean King Cup team’s qualifying tie against the Czech Republic will take place over the course of two days, running from Friday 15 April to Saturday 16 April.
They will face off against one another in a best-of-five matches format with four singles contests and a doubles match.
Where is Great Britain’s 2022 qualifying tie against the Czech Republic being held?
Tennis Club I.CLTK in Prague will play host to home nation, the Czech Republic, and Great Britain in their 2022 Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie.
Located on Stvanice Island in the centre of Prague, the Stvanice National Tennis Stadium is rich in history, purposefully built to hold the Federation Cup – namely the Billie Jean King Cup – to Prague.
It was on this court that 18-time singles Grand Slam winner, Martina Navratilova, famously returned to play in her home country of Czechoslovakia for the 24th annual Fed Cup as an American citizen. It was the first she had returned to play since 1975 and was greeted by over 7,000 cheering home fans despite carrying the USA to victory against China.
Who are the reigning Billie Jean King Cup champions?
The Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) are the reigning Billie Jean King Cup champions after winning the tournament for a fifth time – the fourth more successful nation in Billie Jean King Cup history.
However, as a result of the suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) and Belarus Tennis Federation (BTF) from international team competitions, Australia will replace the reigning champions in their automatic qualification.
Which players have been selected to play for Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup 2022?
Leading the way, 19-year-old Emma Raducanu is set to get her first taste of the tournament after a successful 2021 season that saw her rise to World No.12.
Raducanu will be accompanied by British No.2, Harriet Dart, who will be looking to continue her miraculous run of form after reaching the last 16 at Indian Wells.
Katie Swan will be bearing the experience as Prague will mark her sixth appearance in the tournament, whilst up and coming star Sonay Kartal will look to make her debut representing Great Britain on an international stage.
Find out more about the team here.
What time are the matches?
The first match will take place on Friday 15 April at 12:00pm (local time) and 11:00am (BST).
On Saturday the 16 April, the first match will start at 11:30am (local time) and 10:30 (BST).
The draw
Friday 15 April
- Harriet Dart (GBR) vs Marketa Vondrousova (CZE)
- Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs Tereza Martincova (CZE)
Saturday 16 April
- Emma Raducanu (GBR) vs Marketa Vondrousova (CZE)
- Harriet Dart (GBR) v Tereza Martincova (CZE)
- Katie Swan & Sonay Kartal (GBR) & Marie Bouzkova & Linda Fruhvirtova (CZE)
How to watch and live stream Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against the Czech Republic?
Coverage of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie against the Czech Republic will be broadcast live on BBC digital channels and the LTA’s official TikTok – fans can also get the best behind-the-scenes access by signing up to Advantage.
Watch Live
