Billie Jean King Cup Finals: Emma Raducanu, Jessica Pegula, Naomi Osaka to compete – but no Iga Swiatek

Oli Dickson Jefford 17 Sep 2024 11:16 AM

Pictured: Emma Raducanu, Jessica Pegula, and Naomi Osaka

Emma Raducanu, Jessica Pegula, and Naomi Osaka will all be in BJK Cup Finals action.

The squads for November’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals have been announced – and there is one notable absentee.

World No 1 Iga Swiatek will not be in action for the third Finals in a row, with the turnaround between the WTA Finals and the start of action in Malaga considered too tight for the Pole.

Swiatek’s decision not to play means that Magdalena Frech – the recent Guadalajara champion – and Magda Linette will lead the Polish team in the Finals, with their opening match against Spain on November 13th.

However, despite the absence of the world No 1, some big names are still in action.

On paper, Team USA are the favourites to lift the title, with the strength and depth in captain Lindsay Davenport’s squad hugely impressive.

World No 3 and recent US Open finalist Jessica Pegula anchors the team, joined by top-10 star Danielle Collins – in what looks to be the final event of her career.

Pegula and Collins will be joined by Caroline Dolehide, Taylor Townsend, and Peyton Stearns as the nation targets a first title since 2017, opening their campaign against Slovakia before a potential quarter-final versus Australia.

Elsewhere, Emma Raducanu returns to the Great Britain squad after her starring role in sealing qualification earlier this year.

Raducanu won both her singles rubbers to guide Britain to a shock victory over France in the spring and leads a team also featuring British No 1 Katie Boulter, heading into an opening Finals clash against Germany.

Another Grand Slam champion is Naomi Osaka, with the former world No 1 part of the Japan team that opens their campaign against Romania.

Meanwhile, defending champions Canada have the likes of Leylah Fernandez and Bianca Andreescu in their squad, while Italy are led by Jasmine Paolini.