The Billie Jean King Cup finals, previously scheduled to take place in Seville, have now been relocated to Malaga, according to the International Tennis Federation (ITF). This decision has caused an overlap with the Davis Cup, which will also be held at the same venue. The Martin Carpena Arena in Malaga, Spain, will host the Billie Jean King Cup from Nov. 13 to Nov. 20, with the final two days of the competition coinciding with the beginning of the Davis Cup finals scheduled from Nov. 19-24.
The ITF stated that the relocation was necessary due to the demand of the event’s host partner, Junta de Andalucia, the government of Andalucia. The city and diputacion (provincial council) of Malaga also supported this decision. This shift aims to combine the Billie Jean King Cup, previously known as the Fed Cup, with the Davis Cup, creating a distinctive and high-quality two-week period of international team tennis.
All individuals who had purchased tickets for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Sevilla have been provided with the opportunity to either exchange their tickets for the corresponding sessions in Malaga or receive a full refund. This gesture ensures that the fans’ interests are taken care of amidst the venue change.
Previously featuring 12 national teams divided into four round-robin groups, the Billie Jean King Cup finals will now have eight teams participating in a knockout round one. The top four seeded teams will receive byes to the quarterfinals. Reigning champions Canada have been slated to face either Germany or Britain in their quarterfinal match, while runners-up Italy will play against Japan or Romania.
The ITF CEO, Kelly Fairweather, expressed the organization’s dedication to ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for both players and fans. The goal is to deliver a remarkable and unforgettable event despite the logistical changes. The ITF aims to provide an exceptional showcase of international team tennis that will leave a lasting impact on all those involved.