Emma Raducanu absent from settled British BJK Cup squad
Emma Raducanu will not feature in Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals qualifying tie against France next month.
Captain Anne Keothavong has named the same team which reached the semi-finals in September and said former US Open champion Raducanu was “unavailable” for the tie in Coventry from April 14-15.
Raducanu said after her opening victory in Indian Wells that she did not even know when the tie was, a comment which did not appear to go down well with Keothavong.
The former British number one responded to one report of the comment with a thinking face emoji on social media. She then separately posted, seemingly in reference to that: “My communication skills are generally good in case anyone was wondering.”
Explaining her decision to keep faith with Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, Katie Boulter, Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls, Keothavong said: “I’m pleased to name the same team as the one we had four months ago in Glasgow where we gelled so well, and the team spirit was electric.
“There were some memorable performances across the week to help us reach the semi-finals.
“Harriet showed us what she’s capable of by beating the likes of (Paula) Badosa and (Ajla) Tomljanovic.
“We saw Alicia and Olivia make their Cup debut, where they brought so much energy to the court and demonstrated how important doubles is. Katie and Heather have a proven track record in this competition and are enthusiastic as ever to be part of this team.
“While Emma is unavailable for this tie we look forward to seeing her back on the team in the near future.”
Raducanu, who missed November’s Finals in Glasgow due to a wrist injury, reached the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open this week before losing to world number one Iga Swiatek.
With just under one month to go until the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers kick off in nine venues worldwide, the competing teams have begun announcing their players.
Spain will also be missing their top player in Paula Badosa, but will be hoping that strength in depth is enough to see them through against Mexico at home in Marbella. Sara Sorribes Tormo, Marina Bassols Ribera and Aliona Bolsova make up the Spanish team.
Wimbledon champion and world No. 10 Elena Rybakina will lead a full-strength Kazakh side at home for the visit of Poland.
The United States are expected to name their team soon with Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff both confirmed giving them an imposing look for opponents Austria.
Austria have named their strongest possible line-up for their trip to Delray Beach to take on USA but Julia Grabher, Sinja Kraus, Barbara Haas, Tamira Paszek and Melanie Klaffner look to be outgunned.
Marta Kostyuk, Dayana Yastremska, Katarina Zavatska and Lyudmila Kichenok make up skipper Mikhail Filima’s quartet as Ukraine bid to reach the Finals for the first time.
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu gives verdict after Iga Swiatek loss and reveals what will be one of her ‘biggest assets’
