2024 Finals: Spotlight on Great Britain
03/10/2024 12:57
Great Britain will play in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time since their run to the semi-finals on home soil in Glasgow two years ago
By Kevin Palmer
GREAT BRITAIN
Ranking: 12
Best performance: Runners-up 1967, 1971, 1972, 1981
THE HISTORY
Great Britain's best performances in this competition came during a period when Virginia Wade and Sue Baker fired them to the brink of the title as they reached the final on four occasions.
RECORD BREAKERS
Virginia Wade dominates the record books for Great Britain in this competition, as the 1977 Wimbledon champion set a host of impressive records.
Wade has the most wins in the Billie Jean King Cup for Britain (66), the most singles wins (36) and the most doubles wins (30).
She also set a record for the most ties played for her nation (57) and played for more years than any other British player (17).
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Great Britain faced a daunting task as they travelled to France to take on a host nation on the clay courts of Le Portel in April.
Anne Keothavong's side appeared to face an uphill challenge after their top-ranked player Katie Boulter was beaten in the opening match of the tie by Diane Parry, but that was before 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu stamped her class on the tie with two impressive singles wins against Caroline Garcia and Parry.
Boulter's win in her second singles match against Clara Burel was also crucial in securing the victory for Britain.
"It's going to take a lot of work to try and wipe this smile off my face", said captain Anne Keothavong after the win in France. "What a day, the atmosphere was just rocking, Katie and Emma came to play and put in some fantastic performances against tough opposition.
"I'm just so chuffed for the team. We came here and we knew it was going to be difficult. But we came, we performed, and we're all leaving with a big smile."
MEET THE CAPTAIN - Anne Keothavong
Keothavong reached a career-high ranking of 48 in a playing career that saw her win 20 singles titles on the ITF World Tennis Tour.
Her best performance in a Grand Slam came as she reached the third round at the 2008 US Open and she was appointed as captain of the Great Britain team in 2017.
After masterminding their run to the semi-finals two years ago, now she is relishing the chance to lead her team into battle in Malaga.
"We are really looking forward to the Finals in Malaga after qualifying following our fantastic weekend in France in April," said Keothavong.
"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."
Ahead of the quarter-final with Germany in Malaga, Keothavong said: "Germany are an experienced team with players we're all familiar with and who our British players have had matches and wins against. No matches will be straightforward but we're excited as a team to be involved in the Finals and we'll give it our all as always."
WHO'S IN THE TEAM?
Katie Boulter has enjoyed some thrilling highs and disappointing lows as she adapted to her status as British No. 1 over the last 18 months.
She retained her WTA Tour Nottingham Open title with some impressive performances on grass courts in June, with Boulter's run to that title including a win against Billie Jean King Cup team-mate Raducanu.
The Great Britain team named by Keothavong also includes 2021 US Open champion Raducanu, who has enjoyed a healthy rise up the WTA rankings this year after recovering from serious injuries in 2023.
Harriet Dart will have a big role to play after establishing herself in the top 100 of the WTA rankings, while Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls could be valuable contributors in doubles.
