2024 Finals: Spotlight on Japan
16/10/2024 09:00
Japan are treading new ground for their country as they will be making a first appearance in the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals at this year's event in Malaga
By Kevin Palmer
JAPAN
Ranking: 15
Best performance: World Group semi-finals in 1996
THE HISTORY
Japan's best performance in this competition came with a run to the semi-finals in 1996, with Kimiko Date and current Japan Billie Jean King Cup captain Ai Sugiyama leading a challenge that was halted by a strong USA side, who went on to lift the title.
RECORD BREAKERS
Kazuko Sawamatsu dominates the Japanese records books for in this competition, as she holds the record for the most total wins in the Billie Jean King Cup (44) and the most singles wins (25). She has also played in more ties than any other Japanese player (30).
Sawamatsu enjoyed a fine career that included an appearance in the 1972 Australian Open semi-finals and runs to the quarter-finals at the French Open and US Open in 1975.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Japan was in the Asia/Oceania Pool at the start of 2023 and earned the chance to compete for a place in this year's Malaga finals after winning a play-off against Colombia last November.
They won six straight ties last year and then secured a passage to the Malaga Finals with a win against Kazakstan in Tokyo.
Naomi Osaka won her singles match as she returned to the Japan team, with Nao Hibino winning two singles matches to pave the way for a victory.
MEET THE CAPTAIN - Ai Sugiyama
One of the all-time greats of Japanese tennis, Sugiyama's best run at a Grand Slam tournament came as she was beaten by Jennifer Capriati in the quarter-finals of the 2000 Australian Open. She went on to lose a tight match against Maria Sharapova in the last eight at Wimbledon in 2004.
Sugiyama won three women's doubles Grand Slam titles, with the first coming at the 2000 US Open and she went on to win the French Open and Wimbledon in 2003. In addition, she won a mixed doubles crown at the 1999 US Open.
"Ever since I became the captain of the BJK Cup team, everyone has worked hard and has done what each one needs to do," said Sugiyama. "It was a process in which everyone dealt with her disappointments aiming to end up being a stronger player.
"That is why this road to the Finals opened up in front of us. I feel that I have been able to spend meaningful a year and four months and I am really proud of this team."
WHO'S IN THE TEAM?
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has been forced to drop out of the Japan team for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga due to injury, with Ena Shibahara called up by captain Sugiyama.
"I thought I strained my back, but I did an MRI in Beijing," said Osaka. "They said I bulged a disc in my back and I also ruptured abdominal muscles. I've played so many tournaments this year, so it was the toughest decision to not play BJK."
Nao Hibino will now be a key performer, as she has played a prominent role in Japan's return to the top table of the Billie Jean King Cup, winning five of her last six singles matches in the competition.
Shibahara will offer great experience and quality in doubles, with her career-high ranking of No. 4 backed up by appearances in the 2023 Australian Open doubles final alongside partner Shuko Aoyama, who will also be in the Japan team in Malaga.
Moyuka Uchijima and Eri Hozumi have also been named in the Japan team.
