Emma Raducanu named in strong Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team, Katie Boulter and Heather Watson also included

Published 16/09/2024 at 17:00 GMT

Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong has announced her team for the Billie Jean King Cup finals in November, naming a strong group of five for the tournament held in Malaga. The Brits last played in April, beating France thanks to two inspired wins by Emma Raducanu. Great Britain will face Germany in their first knockout match on Friday, November 15.

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Emma Raducanu has been named in Great Britain's team for the Billie Jean King Cup finals this year, as announced by captain Anne Keothavong.

The finals will take place between November 15 and 20, and the Brits will take on Germany in the first match of the knockout stages on Friday 15 at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga.

Alongside Raducanu, Keothavong has named Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls for the showpiece event.

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Four of those five were involved in the victory over France in qualifying in April, with Watson being the only member not to take part.

“We are really looking forward to the finals in Malaga after qualifying following our fantastic weekend in France in April," Keothavong said about her selections.

"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.

“There is still a lot of tennis to be played, and changes can be made up until the day before our first match.”

Katie Boulter

British No. 1 Boulter will lead the team's charge at the finals in Malaga. The 28-year-old debuted in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2018 and has become one of Keothavong's most dependable assets.

She has represented her country in 12 ties, and most recently beat Clara Burel in Great Britain's victory over France, winning in straight sets.

She successfully defended her Nottingham title before making the final eight in Eastbourne over the summer, as well as reaching the second round of the US Open.

Katie Boulter of Great Britain celebrates a point in her match against Clara Burel of France during the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier match between France and Great Britain

Image credit: Eurosport

Harriet Dart

Like Boulter, Dart had a fairly successful summer, reaching the quarter-final in Eastbourne and making it to the third round at Wimbledon.

The 2022 Billie Jean King Cup finals in Glasgow saw the 28-year-old pull out a phenomenal performance to take down former world No. 2 Paula Badosa and 2022 Wimbledon quarter-finalist Ajla Tomljanovic in straight sets.

Emma Raducanu

The 21-year-old Raducanu was vital in Great Britain’s victory over France in April. In just her second Billie Jean King Cup tie, she beat both Caroline Garcia and Diane Parry to secure the win for the Brits and book their spot in November's finals.

The former US Open champion then reached the semi-finals in Nottingham, the quarter-finals in Eastbourne and the fourth round at Wimbledon. Her run at SW19 was her best performance at a major since her victory at Flushing Meadows in 2021.

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates a point on her match against Caroline Garcia of France during the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier match between France and Great Britain at Le Chaudron on April 12, 2024

Image credit: Getty Images

Heather Watson

Last appearing in the Billie Jean King Cup in 2022, Watson will make her 36th appearance for her country this November. The 32-year-old has an impressive 31-15 win record and will be dangerous in both singles and doubles.

In the 2022 finals in Glasgow, she produced a dominant win over Nuria Parrizas Diaz that ensured the Brits beat Spain and reached the semi-finals for the first time since 1981.

She and Boulter played together at the Olympics this year, reaching the women’s doubles quarter-finals.

Olivia Nicholls

Nicholls also joins the British team, having been part of the win over France in April.

She made her Billie Jean King Cup debut at the finals in Glasgow two years ago, teaming with Alicia Barnett to clinch a doubles win over Kazakhstan before helping the side upset Spain.

The British No. 1 in women;s doubles has picked up two tour-level titles and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 50 over the summer.

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