Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers: Where Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Emma Raducanu are playing, and why Simona Halep is out

Published 11/04/2024 at 11:13 GMT

Eight Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers take place on 12-13 April with a place in the finals up for grabs. Great Britain, Poland, Japan, USA and Germany will be among those nations looking to advance. World No. 1 Iga Swiatek is the highest-ranked player in action as she leads Poland, while Emma Raducanu plays for Great Britain. We run through everything you need to know about the BJK Cup qualifiers.

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This week’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers will see a number of star players in action for their countries, including world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

The 16 nations in qualifying action will be looking to book their place at the Billie Jean King Cup finals in November.

The winners of the ties will advance to the finals, while the losers will compete in the play-offs later this year to try to earn a place in the 2025 qualifiers.

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Who’s playing and which players are missing out? Read on for everything you need to know about the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers…

Who’s playing in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers?

The eight qualifying ties are:

Australia v Mexico
Switzerland v Poland
France v Great Britain
USA v Belgium
Japan v Kazakhstan
Brazil v Germany
Slovakia v Slovenia
Ukraine v Romania

The eight winners will join Canada (2023 champions), Italy (2023 runners-up), Spain (host) and Czech Republic (wild card) at the finals.

Iga Swiatek opted not to play for Poland at the finals two years ago because of the “unsafe” schedule that would have seen her quickly travelling from Texas to Scotland to compete.

The world No. 1 also didn’t play last year, but is back in the squad for the first time since playing in the 2022 qualifiers.

Swiatek has won nine of 12 Billie Jean King Cup matches and will give Poland’s chances of making the finals a significant boost.

Naomi Osaka is also back for Japan, making her first appearance in four years in the tie in Tokyo against Kazakhstan.

Osaka has enjoyed an encouraging start to the season following her return to the tour after giving birth.

"She said that she wants to play, so I'm really happy," said Japan captain Ai Sugiyama. "We're aiming for the very top. The players have the potential."

By playing for Japan, Osaka could help her chances of competing at the Olympics this summer.

To be eligible for the Games, players need to have represented their country twice in the Billie Jean King Cup during the four-year Olympic cycle, with one of those appearances in 2023 or 2024.

Osaka does not meet the criteria but there are exemptions for players who have had time away from tennis, plus two spots for former Grand Slam winners.

Another new mum, Angelique Kerber, will be in action for Germany as they face Brazil, who will be led by Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Simona Halep was included in Romania’s team to face Ukraine after recently returning to action from a doping ban, but pulled out due to injury.

Elina Svitolina will compete in the tie for Ukraine, making her first appearance since 2012.

Jessica Pegula will lead the United States team against Belgium in the absence of Coco Gauff.

In-form Emma Navarro is set to make her debut, with Madison Keys, Taylor Townsend and Caroline Dolehide also in the team.

Who’s playing for Great Britain?

“Brutal” is how Katie Boulter has described Great Britain’s clash against France.

British No. 1 Boulter will lead the team and will be joined by Emma Raducanu, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and debutant Francesca Jones in Le Portel.

Raducanu will be playing for the first time since making her debut against the Czech Republic in 2022.

“I’m very pleased. We’ve missed her. We love having her back,” said Boulter about Raducanu.

“Obviously the No. 1 thing is that she’s healthy. I’ve always said it for myself and it’s my biggest wish for her as well is that she can stay as healthy as possible. We’re going to be welcoming her with open arms for sure.”

France are led by world No. 23 Caroline Garcia.