Great Britain Eye Billie Jean King Cup Title Despite Raducanu Absence, Keothavong Says
Anne Keothavong believes Great Britain can win the Billie Jean King Cup despite Emma Raducanu choosing the Korea Open.
Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2025: Great Britain vs. Japan
18 September | Shenzhen, ChinaCoverage: Live on INLIBER iPlayer (UK), live text on INLIBER Sport website & app
Captain Anne Keothavong insists Britain still has a real chance of winning the Billie Jean King Cup in Shenzhen, even without Emma Raducanu, who opted to compete at the Korea Open in Seoul.
Raducanu withdrew to gain extra tour match play with new coach Francisco Roig. She has been replaced by Francesca Jones alongside Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage for Thursday’s tie against Japan.
Boulter, Britain’s top singles player in Raducanu’s absence, said: “We would have loved Emma with us, but we have to focus on those here and ready to play. We qualified on our own merit and are in a strong position.”
Japan will also be without their top player after Naomi Osaka withdrew following her US Open semi-final run.
“We have a genuine shot at the title,” said Keothavong. “We are the second seeds, have reached the semi-finals twice in recent years and are determined to go further.”
Keothavong says the team, despite missing key stars, remains confident of lifting the trophy.
This topic was reported by BBC Sport.
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