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☆ Billie Jean King: Players ‘are exhausted,’ says tennis great as she urges the sport’s authorities to work together
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

It meant many of the sport’s top players opted not to play the latter – an end-of-year tournament dubbed the World Cup of tennis. Aryna Sabalenka waits during a rain delay at this year's WTA Finals. Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesSimon responded with a letter of his own during the WTA Finals, outlining to players how the organisation was handling the issues raised. But there looks to be no magic solution to the array of problems facing women’s tennis at the moment. “But I think about men’s and women’s tennis, I don’t just think about women’s tennis.

Persons: Issues, Sabalenka, Storm Hunter, Jessica Pegula, Billie Jean King, –, Poland’s Iga, “, ” Sabalenka, Clive Brunskill, Marketa Vondrousova, ” Vondrousova, we’ve, Steve Simon, Martina Navratilova, ”, ” Navratilova, Simon Organizations: CNN, Tennis Association, WTA, International Tennis Federation, Tennis, BJK, Amazon Prime Locations: Cancún, Mexico, Seville, Spain

☆ Fernandez seals Canada's first BJK Cup title
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

After the 21-year-old converted match point the Canadian team celebrated wildly on court in front of their jubilant fans. It was then over to Fernandez who duly claimed her fourth singles win of the week by outclassing Paolini. Canada's team will receive $2.4 million in prize money -- a record for the women's team event formerly known as the Fed Cup. "Congratulations to Canada for capturing their first Billie Jean King Cup title," King said. Canada are the 13th nation to win the Billie Jean King Cup and the second new champions in two years following Switzerland’s triumph in Glasgow 12 months ago.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Marina Stakusic, Italy's Martina Trevisan, Marcelo Del Pozo, Leylah Fernandez, Jasmine Paolini, Heidi El Tabakh, Martina Trevisan, Trevisan, Stakusic, Fernandez, outclassing Paolini, Marketa Vondrousova, Gabriela Dabrowski, Barbora Krejcikova, Katerina Siniakova, American King, King, Martyn Herman, Hugh Lawson, Ken Ferris Organizations: La, U.S ., WTA, Wimbledon, Fed, Billie Jean King Cup, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, SEVILLE, Canada, Italy, Czech Republic, Czech, American, Glasgow

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — Leylah Fernandez and Marina Stakusic won their singles matches as Canada beat Italy 2-0 to claim its first-ever Billie Jean King Cup on Sunday. Stakusic, ranked 258th in the world, put Canada ahead by defeating No. Canada had beaten 11-time champion Czech Republic in the semifinals, while four-time champion Italy advanced past Slovenia for its first final appearance since 2013. Political Cartoons View All 1240 ImagesCanada, captained by Heidi El Tabakh, is the 13th nation to win the Billie Jean King Cup, and the second new champion after Switzerland’s triumph in Glasgow a year ago. The Canada men's team is the current Davis Cup champion.

Persons: — Leylah Fernandez, Marina Stakusic, Billie Jean King, Stakusic, Martina Trevisan, Fernandez, Jasmine Paolini, Davis, Heidi El Tabakh, Iga Swiatek, ___ Organizations: Canada, Italy, Billie Jean King Cup, La, Czech, Davis, WTA Locations: SEVILLE, Spain, Canada, Seville, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Glasgow, United States, Switzerland, Cancun , Mexico

☆ Italy overcome spirited Slovenia to reach BJK Cup final
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SEVILLE, Spain, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Jasmine Paolini defeated Tamara Zidansek and Martina Trevisan beat Kaja Juvan as Italy secured a 2-0 victory over Slovenia in Seville on Saturday to reach the Billie Jean King Cup final and stay on course for their fifth crown in the team competition. Trevisan earlier put Italy in front in their quest to make the final of the event for a sixth time with a battling 7-6(6) 6-3 victory over Slovenian world number 104 Juvan. "I have to say that today was really tough," Trevisan said as Italy tasted success in their first semi-final appearance in the competition since 2014. Italy's last triumph in the competition came 10 years ago, and they could face stiff competition in Sunday's title clash. Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jasmine Paolini, Tamara Zidansek, Martina Trevisan, Kaja Juvan, Billie Jean King, Paolini, Trevisan, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Slovenia, Billie Jean King Cup, Estadio, la, Slovenian, Czech, United States, Thomson Locations: SEVILLE, Spain, Italy, Seville, Czech Republic, Canada, Bengaluru

☆ Italy reach BJK Cup semis, Australia stay alive
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paolini, who like Trevisan also won her singles against France, then dispatched Anna-Lena Friedsam 6-3 6-2. It is the first time Italy have reached the semi-finals of the competition since 2014. Captain Alicia Molik changed her line-up and world number 155 Storm Hunter rewarded her faith by posting a 7-6(2) 6-4 victory against Anna Danilina, ranked a lowly 802nd. Later on Thursday, reigning champions Switzerland face the United States in Group A needing to win to stay in the hunt. Canada can secure their place in the semi-finals if they beat a Poland side without world number one Iga Swiatek.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Jasmine Paolini, Germany's Anna, Lena Friedsam REUTERS, Marcelo Del Pozo, Martina Trevisan, Eva Lys, Trevisan, Anna, Lena Friedsam, Alicia Molik, Storm Hunter, Anna Danilina, Yulia Putintseva, Kim Birrell, Hunter, Ellen Perez, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis Organizations: La, Germany, France, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, United States, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, Italy, Kazakhstan, France, Germany, Australia, Slovenia, United, Canada, Poland

☆ Storm Hunter defies the odds to win first BJK Cup match
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Australian tennis star Storm Hunter won her first match at this year’s BJK Cup in Seville, Spain, on Tuesday, despite landing in the country just hours before it started… without her luggage. The 29-year-old had been playing in the WTA Finals doubles competition in Cancún, Mexico, last week, eventually losing with partner Elise Mertens in the semifinals on Sunday. It’s definitely been a whirlwind few days.”Hunter (left) had played in the doubles semifinals at the WTA Finals on Sunday. Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesThe Billie Jean King Cup is akin to the women’s World Cup of tennis, pitting countries from around the world against one another. 1 Iga Świątek, opted not to play at this year’s BJK Cup, with the event starting just a day after the rain-delayed WTA Finals.

Persons: Storm Hunter, Elise Mertens, Hunter, Kimberly Birrell, Slovenia’s Veronika Erjavec, Ela Milić –, “ It’s, ” Hunter, “, It’s, Clive Brunskill, Billie Jean King, Coco Gauff, Świątek Organizations: CNN, WTA, Australia, Slovenia, Team Australia Locations: Australian, Seville, Spain, Cancún, Mexico, Kazakhstan

☆ Italy beat France in BJK Cup Finals after two singles wins
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/4] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Finals - Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain - November 8, 2023 Italy's Martina Trevisan celebrates during her match against France's Alize Cornet REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo Acquire Licensing RightsSEVILLE, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Singles wins for Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini gave Italy victory over France in their opening Group D clash at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville on Wednesday. Trevisan recovered from a slow start to beat the experienced Alize Cornet 2-6 6-2 6-2 in the opening rubber. France will seek to at least get a point on the board in the later doubles. Italy have now beaten France five times in their last seven meetings in the flagship women's team competition. Later on Wednesday hosts Spain face Canada in the first action in Group C.Reporting by Martyn HermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Martina Trevisan, France's Alize Cornet, Marcelo Del Pozo, Jasmine Paolini, Trevisan, Alize Cornet, Paolini, Caroline Garcia, Martyn Herman Our Organizations: La, Italy, France, Billie Jean King Cup, Wednesday, Spain, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, France, Italy, Canada

☆ BJK Cup: Billie Jean King on the career moment she’ll ‘never forget’ and the growth of the tournament named in her honor
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Billing itself as the world’s largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, the Billie Jean King Cup is akin to the World Cup of tennis, pitting countries from around the world against one another. Tennis great Billie Jean King lent her name to the tournament – which celebrates its 60th anniversary this month – in 2020 and she has fond memories of playing in it herself. It fits my personality and fits how I think about the sport,” King said. Improving women’s tennis is something King has done throughout her career in the sport. More than anything, though, King wants this competition, and women’s sport in general, to get more media coverage.

Persons: CNN —, Billie Jean King, King, “, ” King, “ It’s, Davis, Serena Williams, John G, Mabanglo, ”, Bobby Riggs, Lesley Martin, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Iga Świątek Organizations: CNN, Tennis, US, Getty, Federation Cup, Fed, International Tennis Federation, ITF, Women’s Tennis Association, ”, WTA Locations: Seville, Spain, France, Italy, Canada, Germany, US, Australia, Switzerland, Poland, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Kazakhstan, Venus, AFP, “, ” Switzerland, Mexico

☆ Slovenia beat Australia in BJK Finals opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Kaja Juvan got outsiders Slovenia off to a flyer with a 6-4 6-1 defeat of a rusty Ajla Tomljanovic. Former French Open semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek then overcame Daria Saville 6-1 6-4 to give Slovenia an unassailable lead, although a doubles rubber was still to be played. A strong-looking Kazakhstan team are the other country in Group B. The 12 qualifying nations are split into four sections of three with the group winners progressing to the semi-finals. Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Billie Jean King, Tamara Zidansek, Australia's Daria Saville, Marcelo Del Pozo, Kaja Juvan, Daria Saville, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: La, Billie Jean King Cup, Australia, French, Kazakhstan, Switzerland, Thomson Locations: Seville, Spain, Slovenia, Czech Republic

SEVILLE, Spain (AP) — The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will offer a record total of $9.6 million in prize money, including $2.4 million to the champions, the International Tennis Federation announced Monday. The ITF said this puts the women competing at the BJK Cup Finals on an equivalent prize level as the men at the Davis Cup Finals. The 12-team BJK Cup Finals start Tuesday at Seville’s La Cartuja Stadium and run through Sunday. Defending champion Switzerland is joined by last year’s runner-up, Australia, and 10 other countries: Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and the United States. The runner-up team will earn $1.44 million, each losing semifinalist will get $960,000 and teams eliminated in the group stage will receive $480,000.

Persons: Billie Jean King Organizations: International Tennis Federation, ITF, Davis, Seville’s La Locations: SEVILLE, Spain, Seville’s, Seville’s La Cartuja, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, Poland, Slovenia, United States

☆ Slovenia stage comeback to beat Romania in delayed BJK Cup qualifier
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/5] Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers - Slovenia v Romania - Sport Park Bonifika, Koper, Slovenia - April 14, 2023 Slovenia's Tamara Zidansek reacts during her singles match against Romania's Jaqueline Cristian REUTERS/Borut ZivulovicApril 16 (Reuters) - Slovenia pulled off a remarkable comeback to beat Romania and reach the Billie Jean King Cup finals in a qualifying tie that was held over to Sunday because of rain. The deciding doubles rubber in Koper saw home pair Kaja Juvan and Tamara Zidansek come from a set down to beat Romanian duo Irina Maria Bara and Monica Niculescu 4-6 6-2 6-4. Slovenia joined eight other nations who qualified for the 12-nation final that will be contested in November. Romania looked in complete control after winning both of Friday's singles rubbers, but Slovenia hit back on Saturday. Zidansek beat Ana Bogdan 3-6 7-6(4) 7-5 and Juvan overcame Jaqueline Cristian in straight sets to take it to a decider.

☆ Australia knock out Britain in nail-biting BJK Cup semis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Storm Sanders was Australia's hero after she won the first singles rubber before returning for the deciding doubles match alongside 38-year-old Samantha Stosur. It's a real honour to represent Australia in the final," Sanders said in a post-match interview while Stosur said "nobody deserved to lose that one". Britain, who reached the semi-finals for the first time in 41 years, started poorly as Sanders put Australia on the board when she beat Heather Watson 6-4 7-6(3) in the opening singles match. With the home crowd firmly behind Dart, she served for the set and Tomljanovic's return went long on the first match point as Britain levelled the tie. Australia will play either Switzerland or the Czech Republic in the final on Sunday.

☆ Swiss beat Canada, Czechs trounce Americans to reach BJK Cup semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-11 | by ( Rory Carroll | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Golubic hit back to beat former U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu 2-6 6-3 6-4 before Bencic beat Leylah Fernandez 6-0 7-5 to give last year's runners-up an unassailable lead. Friday's clash between the Swiss and the Canadians was effectively a group decider after both teams beat Italy. Golubic replaced Jil Teichmann and initially the switch appeared to be backfiring for the Swiss as Andreescu ran away with the opening set. Bencic then came out all guns blazing against Fernandez to race through the opening set, but the Canadian dug deep in an absorbing second set before Bencic wrapped up victory. Gauff never quite found her form in the second set, putting up 19 unforced errors as a near-flawless Siniakova never faced a break and roared with triumph after closing the affair 7-6(1) 6-1 for the 2018 champions.

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