2024 Finals: Spotlight on Poland
23/10/2024 12:47
Buoyed by the late addition of Iga Swaitek, Poland will be hoping they can go deep at this year's Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers
By Kevin Palmer
POLAND
Ranking: 9
Best performance: World Group quarter-finals 1992 and 2015
THE HISTORY
Poland's run to the 2015 World Group quarter-finals was halted by a Russian side that went on to lose the Final against Czechia.
Their run to the 1992 World Group quarter-finals came to an end when they were beaten by a Germany side propelled by Steffi Graf and now they will aim for more as they appear in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the third successive year.
RECORD BREAKERS
Agnieszka Radwanska has the most total wins for Poland in this competition (42) and the most singles wins (34).
Alicja Rosolska played more ties in this competition than any other Polish player (41) and she also played for more years than any other player from her nation (16).
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Iga Swiatek, ranked No. 1 at the time, took centre stage for Poland as they took on Switzerland in the Qualifiers in Biel last April, with her class shining as she won her two singles matches.
A 6-3 6-1 win against Simona Waltert put Poland on the front foot in the opening match of the tie and she sealed victory with a 6-4 6-3 win against Celine Naef that secured victory in the tie.
It was Poland's first victory in the Qualifiers since 2022, as they appeared in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville last year via a wild card.
MEET THE CAPTAIN - Dawid Celt
Celt enjoyed some success on what was then known as the ITF Futures circuit - now the ITF World Tennis Tour - but his ambitions to reach the top of the game were cut short by injury.
Celt was coach to Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska for several years and was appointed as captain in 2018 and achieved his aim of leading his nation to the Finals for the first time in 2022.
"The whole team is fantastic, we have a great atmosphere, everybody knows what they have to do, which part they have to do," said Celt.
"We go to Malaga with high hopes. Let's see what is possible."
WHO'S IN THE TEAM?
Swiatek has confirmed that she will lead the Poland team in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The French Open champion took some time away from tennis after the final Grand Slam of 2024 in New York in September and that break has revived her ambitions to guide Poland to success in Malaga.
"I’m happy to announce that I will play in the BJK Cup Finals," said Swiatek in a social media post. "I’m glad that I’ll play for my country and proudly represent Poland. Together with Team Poland, we will give our best on the court. I hope you’ll watch and support us.”
Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette will complete a strong Polish line-up for Malaga, with both enjoying success during 2024.
Frech rose to her highest career ranking this year after some impressive performances, with a run to the fourth round of the Australian Open a fine start to the year before the highlight of her season came in September, as she won her first WTA Tour event at the Guadalajara Open in September.
Frech has a 7-6 winning record in the Billie Jean King Cup and a 3-1 winning record in doubles.
Linette is a former top 20 player who has also enjoyed some big high points this year, including a win against Frech in the Final of a WTA250 event in Prague in July.
It was her first title on the WTA Tour and she will now be looking forward to improving on a 12-12 singles record in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga.
Linette is also a fine doubles player and reached the quarter-finals of the 2023 Australian Open alongside partner Bernarda Pera.
The Polish team is completed by Maja Chwalinska and Katarzyna Kawa.
