Great Britain targets Billie Jean King Cup finals without Raducanu

British Team Begins Billie Jean King Cup Campaign Amid Major Changes

Five months after a narrow semi-final defeat to Slovakia in Málaga, the British women’s tennis team begins its new Billie Jean King Cup campaign in The Hague, seeking a spot in the newly reformatted finals in China. Without Emma Raducanu, a key figure in last year’s success, the squad will rely on its growing strength in depth as it faces Germany on Friday and the Netherlands on Saturday.

Captain Anne Keothavong expressed disappointment over Raducanu’s absence, noting her undefeated record in 2024 and her pivotal wins on clay against France. However, Raducanu’s team has prioritized recovery following a strong quarter-final run at the Miami Open.

“Naturally disappointed,” Keothavong said. “But I understand where she’s coming from. She gave a lot to this team last year… I really hope Emma will be part of this again in the future.”

A New Era of Depth in British Women’s Tennis

Despite the setback, Keothavong remains confident in her lineup, drawn from what she describes as the most competitive pool of British players in recent memory.

“I do feel in a really privileged position that we have the strength and depth,” she said. “Women’s tennis in Britain has come a long way.”

Currently, three British women rank inside the WTA top 60: Katie Boulter (No. 40), Raducanu (No. 47), and Sonay Kartal (No. 60). Harriet Dart (No. 108) and Jodie Burrage, a former top-100 player returning from injury, add experience and grit. In doubles, Olivia Nicholls brings elite credentials, ranked No. 31 after her recent Indian Wells final appearance.

Germany and Netherlands Offer Tough Early Tests

Great Britain’s first opponents, Germany, feature three top-100 players: Eva Lys, Tatjana Maria, and Laura Siegemund, a top-tier doubles specialist. Britain previously defeated Germany in Málaga last year, but this weekend’s indoor clay surface could shift the balance.

In a surprise result on Thursday, the Netherlands stunned Germany 3-0, with world No. 265 Eva Vedder defeating Jule Niemeier, and Suzan Lamens overcoming Maria in a three-set battle. Lamens and Demi Schuurs then secured the sweep in doubles, suggesting that home-court advantage and surface conditions may prove decisive.

With Boulter and Kartal likely leading Britain’s singles efforts, both are expected to enter matches as higher-ranked players. However, the early upsets underline the unpredictability of the surface.

A Restructured Format and a New Destination

This year marks a major structural change to the Billie Jean King Cup, after the dissolution of the multi-billion-dollar agreement between the ITF and Gerard Piqué’s Kosmos Group. The tournament now mirrors the men's Davis Cup model more closely.

Only eight teams will compete in the finals, down from 12 in previous editions. The ITF also announced a new venue and date: the finals will be held in Shenzhen, China, from 16 to 21 September, during the WTA's Asian swing—two months earlier than originally planned.

With six groups competing this weekend, only the group winners will qualify for the finals, raising the stakes significantly for each tie.

For Great Britain, the road to Shenzhen is both a challenge and an opportunity—a chance to showcase its rising generation of players and confirm the resilience of a squad no longer dependent on one star. With competition tighter than ever, team unity and depth may be Britain’s most powerful weapons in 2025.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for exclusive coverage of international tennis and the Billie Jean King Cup’s path to Shenzhen.