Emma Raducanu, the former US Open champion, is set to return to the Billie Jean King Cup team for Great Britain in France this week. According to Katie Boulter, the young sensation will be welcomed back “with open arms” as she prepares to play only her second tie for her country.
Raducanu’s return to action comes after withdrawing from the Miami Open last month. Despite injuries preventing her from participating in recent ties, her debut against the Czech Republic occurred two years ago. At the time, she indicated that her health would be a priority when deciding to play.
With the upcoming tie taking place on indoor clay, the same surface as her next WTA tournament in Stuttgart next week, Raducanu will join Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and debutant Francesca Jones in Le Portel. Boulter expressed her excitement at Raducanu’s return, stating, “I’m very pleased. We’ve missed her. We love having her back. Obviously, the number one thing is that she’s healthy. We’re going to be welcoming her with open arms for sure.”
Despite being the lowest-ranked member of the team at 302, it is expected that Raducanu will play a significant role in the upcoming tie. The British team, captained by Anne Keothavong, faces tough competition against France, particularly led by world No 23 Caroline Garcia. Boulter acknowledged the challenging match-up but remains optimistic, saying, “We’ve got to keep it realistic. It’s everyone’s first week on clay. I think we will come together as a team and keep trying to push each other and I’m sure we’ll play some really good tennis.”
Raducanu’s presence is greatly anticipated, especially when compared to last year’s team, which lacked her participation. Additionally, Boulter’s rapid rise into the top 30 and recent successes have added to the team’s depth and optimism. The winners of the tie will qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville in November.
The return of Emma Raducanu to represent the Great Britain team is a noticeable event, adding excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup tie. With promising talents like Raducanu and the team’s positive outlook, there is evident enthusiasm for their performance in the upcoming competition.