Purpose-built court all set for start of Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga this week
Top players, including world number two Iga Swiatek, have touched down ahead of the opening clash between hosts Spain and Poland on Wednesday
The highly anticipated Billie Jean King Cup (BJKC) Finals are set to commence this Wednesday in Malaga, marking a first for the city and a new venue as twelve national teams battle for the prestigious title.
The purpose-built arena, erected next to the Martín Carpena arena in less than a month, features covered seating for over 4,000 spectators, VIP areas and high-tech player benches, with the installation already making an impression among teams and officials.
Spain’s team, led by captain Anabel Medina, became the first to take to the court, inaugurating the venue in a practice session on Saturday, overseen by tournament director Conchita Martínez, between Paula Badosa and Nuria Párrizas.
“The players haven’t played indoors in some time, so there’s an adjustment period,” Medina said, adding, “They like the court, though it’s a bit fast.”
Despite the setup changes following the relocation from Seville, where last year’s finals were held, Medina described the session as a positive experience.
A week of top women’s tennis
This year’s BJKC Finals will showcase a fierce line-up, with automatic qualifiers Canada, Czechia, Italy and Spain joined by qualifiers Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and the United States.
Matches will unfold over several stages: opening ties running from Wednesday 13 to Friday 15 November, quarter-finals on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17, semi-finals on Monday 18 and Tuesday 19, and the final showdown scheduled for Wednesday 20 November.
The opening match sees hosts Spain take on Poland on Wednesday, featuring a marquee clash between Badosa and Poland’s star player Iga Swiatek.
Recently dethroned to world number two by Aryna Sabalenka, Swiatek remains one of the sport’s most formidable opponents. Arriving in Malaga after competing in the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Swiatek has four Roland Garros titles to her name, along with a US Open victory in 2022.
