Emma Raducanu is set for her Billie Jean King Cup return after being named for Great Britain’s upcoming qualifiers against France.
On Friday, British BJK Cup team captain Keothavong announced her selection for the France tie, which is taking place between April 12-13 in Le Portel, France. Besides 2021 US Open champion Raducanu, Keothavong also named recent San Diego champion Katie Boulter, as well as Harriet Dart and Heather Watson.
For Raducanu, this will be her second Billie Jean King Cup on-court appearance. In 2020, Raducanu was named for the BJK Cup for the first time but didn’t play that year.
But when Raducanu was named for the qualifiers against the Czech Republic in 2022 April, she was the top-ranked British woman and she played in two matches – beating Tereza Martincova in her first BJK Cup match before losing to 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova in her following match.
Emma Raducanu© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
“I’m delighted to be traveling with a full-strength team off the back of some terrific results recently,” Keothavong said in a statement.
“The French side will present a significant challenge as always, but we all know how representing GB inspires us and each year we are getting stronger and better as a team.”
After being heavily criticized last year, Raducanu set for her BJK Cup return
After making her BJK Cup debut in 2022 April, Raducanu didn’t play in the BJK Cup Finals later that year. Then, Raducanu also skipped Britain’s 2023 qualifiers tie against France because it was played on hard and she was scheduled to play at a clay-court tournament in Stuttgart the following week. Around this time a year ago, Raducanu received major criticism and backlash in the British media for her BJK Cup decision.
But earlier this month, Raducanu indicated she would play against France this year because the tie is played on clay and it wouldn’t pose any issues for her Stuttgart participation.
Emma Raducanu© Getty Images Sport – Clive Brunskill
“I don’t know if I’ll get the call-up,” Raducanu said earlier this month when asked about her BJK Cup availability in Indian Wells.
“But if she (British team captain Anne Keothavong) asks me to, I think it makes sense because it’s before Stuttgart (which is also) on indoor clay.”
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