Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic, and Jodie Burrage have been named in Great Britain’s squad for the Billie Jean King Cup finals in China, with Emma Raducanu still sidelined as she continues her recovery from her latest injuy setback.
Raducanu was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon just hours before the tournament got underway, and is still not fit enough to take her place on the team.
It has been another injury-hit season for the 23-year-old, who is still waiting for her second WTA title after shocking the world by winning the US Open back in 2021 at the age of 18.
Meanwhile, Sonay Kartal is also absent due to her own fitness issues.
Captain Anne Keothavong has largely maintained the core of the team that defeated Australia in qualifying, with Boulter, world number 69, replacing Katie Swan. British number three Fran Jones has not been selected. The tournament runs from 22 to 27 September in Shenzhen, with an option to add a fifth team member closer to the event.
Britain will open their campaign with a quarter-final against Czechia, whose selection includes Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.
The British team has a strong record, reaching the semi-finals in three of the last four seasons. They secured their place in this year’s finals in April by upsetting Australia in Melbourne, a tie where 17-year-old debutant Stojsavljevic notably beat Talia Gibson in the singles.
Keothavong expressed her confidence, stating: "It’s a great achievement to reach the Billie Jean King Cup finals again and today I am naming my initial nominations for the GB team. I’m pleased to select Katie Boulter, who knows what it’s like to step up on occasions like this, and the three women who played with so much heart and courage to upset Australia earlier this year, namely Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage.
“Czechia will be a very challenging first match for us but the players and I believe in our chances, since we have a very strong record in recent finals."
Belgium, hosts China, back-to-back champions Italy, Kazakhstan, five-time winners Spain, and Ukraine have also qualified for the finals.
