BJK Cup playoff ties move to April

Playoff ties for the Billie Jean King Cup, initially scheduled for 5-6 February 2021, will move to 16-17 April as the tennis calendar continues to be impacted by the pandemic, particularly the later dates now in effect for the Australian Open.

We are looking forward to what will be a fantastic week of international team tennis, showcasing the best of the Billie Jean King Cup competition. We would like to thank all of the national associations, hosts, captains and players involved for their understanding and flexibility as we continue to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic. Katrina Adams, Chair of the ITF Billie Jean King Cup Committee

Eight two-day home-and-away Play-Off ties will now take place during the week of the Finals, which will be held from 13-18 April 2021.

The calendar is subject to continued assessments relating to health and safety, international travel policies and governmental approval of sporting events.

The decision to delay the playoffs was made by the ITF Billie Jean King Cup Committee in consultation with the WTA and it is believed the move will provide increased certainty for the competing teams.

A clash with the Australian Open has also been avoided, with the Grand Slam now scheduled for 8-21 February, again delayed because of the global health crisis.

“We are looking forward to what will be a fantastic week of international team tennis, showcasing the best of the Billie Jean King Cup competition,” said Katrina Adams, Chair of the Billie Jean King Cup Committee.

“We would like to thank all of the national associations, hosts, captains and players involved for their understanding and flexibility as we continue to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

The home-and-away ties are an integral part of the World Cup of Tennis competition, which was rebranded the Billie Jean King Cup in September 2020, and feature 16 national teams who will compete for the chance to progress to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers in 2022.

The 8 losing nations will compete in their respective regional Group I event in 2022.

Matches include, Great Britain against Mexico, Poland against Brazil, and Serbia against Canada.

Latvia is also set to take on India, while Japan will face Ukraine, Romania will meet Italy, Argentina play Kazakhstan and The Netherlands come up against China.

The Billie Jean King Cup was formerly known as the Fed Cup and this year’s 12-team Fed Cup Finals were scheduled to take place in Budapest from 14-19 April but had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

France are the current champions, who will defend the title at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2021 to be hosted in Budapest, Hungary, for the first time.

Up to 140 of the top players from 28 nations will be in action across 9 countries during an exceptional week of international team tennis culminating with the crowning of the 2021 world champions.

All events will be subject to strict health and safety guidelines.

The Fed Cup was renamed after American tennis legend Billie Jean King in September

The eight Play-off ties are:

• Poland (c) v Brazil
• Great Britain (c) v Mexico
• Serbia (c) v Canada
• Latvia (c) v India
• Japan (c) v Ukraine
• Romania (c) v Italy
• Argentina (c) v Kazakhstan
• Netherlands (c) v China P.R.

(c) = choice of ground