Billie Jean King Cup 2024: Ankita Raina to lead Indian tennis squad in China
The Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group I ties start on April 8. India have named a five-member squad and one reserve player for the matches in China.
Tennis
Ankit Raina, the top-ranked Indian women’s singles tennis player at world No. 226, will spearhead a five-member team at the Billie Jean King Cup 2024.
India feature in Asia-Oceania Group I at the Billie Jean King Cup 2024 and will play their group phase matches in Changsha, the People’s Republic of China from April 8 to 13. Hosts China, Chinese Taipei, Pacific Oceania and the Republic of Korea are the other teams in the group.
The five-member Indian tennis team, announced by the All India Tennis Association (AITA) on Friday, also includes Sahaja Yamalapalli (rank 329), Shrivalli Bhamidipaty (rank 482), Asian Games mixed doubles champion Rutuja Bhosale (rank 333) and Prarthana Thombare, who is India’s best-ranked doubles player at world No. 172.
Vaidehi Chaudhari, world No. 498 in singles, has been selected as the reserve player while former Indian tennis player Shalini Thakur Chawla will be the captain of the side.
The Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, is one of the most prestigious international tennis events for women. It brings together top-ranked players from different countries to compete in a team format. The tournament is the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup.
The top two teams from the Asia-Oceania Group I will qualify for the play-offs while the bottom two will be relegated to the Asia-Oceania Group II for next year.
India finished fourth in the Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group I last year to narrowly avoid relegation.
India squad for Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Asia-Oceania Group I
Squad: Ankita Raina, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Rutuja Bhosale and Prarthana Thombare
Reserve player: Vaidehi Chaudhari
Captain: Shalini Thakur Chawla
Coach: Radhika Kanitkar