Just In: Emma Raducanu Heartbroken as She’s Out of Great Britain’s Squad for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, Replaced by Katie Boulter
Raducanu withdrew from Wimbledon hours before the tournament started because of a lower leg stress fracture.
And the British No. 1 has not recovered in time to take a place on the GB team.
Advertisement
Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage have all been named in the squad for the event in Shenzhen, which runs between September 22-27.
Sonay Kartal also misses out on a place on the team, captained by Anne Keothavong, because of fitness issues.
Boulter, ranked 69th in the world, will lead GB. They open their campaign with a quarter-final against Czechia, who have Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova in their team.
Keothavong praised the “heart and courage” of her team, who beat Australia to qualify for the finals.
It’s a great achievement to reach the Billie Jean King Cup finals again, and today I am naming my initial nominations for the GB team,” said Keothavong.
“I’m pleased to select Katie Boulter, who knows what it’s like to step up on occasions like this, and the three women who played with so much heart and courage to upset Australia earlier this year, namely Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage.
“Czechia will be a very challenging first match for us, but the players and I believe in our chances, since we have a very strong record in recent finals.”
GB were beaten by the USA at the semi-final stage of the competition last year.
The loss of Raducanu, who had seemingly hit form ahead of Wimbledon by reaching the final at Queens, is a blow to Keothavong.
Speaking at the time, Raducanu, 23, said missing out on Wimbledon had been “difficult to process”.
“I can’t believe I’m saying this, but sadly I’ve had to withdraw from this year’s Wimbledon,” said Raducanu at the time.
“I’ve done everything possible to try to get to the start line, but after a final scan, the niggle I’ve been managing has developed into a stress fracture, and I’ve been medically advised to stop pushing through.
“Playing at Wimbledon, in front of a home crowd, means everything to me, so this is really difficult to process.
“I want to thank you all for your support and encouragement. Especially at a time like this, it is invaluable. I look forward to seeing you when I’m back.”
Raducanu shocked the tennis world by winning the US Open as a qualifier in 2021, aged 18, but has largely struggled for form and full fitness since.
