Fourteen nations vie for a chance to compete in the finals in Shenzhen, China later this year
Category: Sports
The road to Shenzhen begins with the 2026 Billie Jean King (BJK) Cup qualifiers from April 10-11. Fourteen nations are competing for the remaining seven spots at the finals of the women’s World Cup of tennis, which will take place in the People’s Republic of China from September 22–27.
Hosts China are already assured of their spot, and they will be joined by the winners of this weekend’s play-offs taking place across the world. Among them are back-to-back reigning champions Italy and 2025 runners-up USA.
Ties consist of five matches, beginning with two singles rubbers on the first day of competition. To align with the Davis Cup, the equivalent men’s tournament, the doubles match will follow as the third matchup of the tie, on day two. If no team has reached three wins after the doubles pairs take to the court, singles rubbers will settle the tie and decide the team to advance to the finals. Matches are best of three sets.
Who will book their spot at the BJK Cup finals? Here are the key details to know.
The format of the BJK Cup often offers younger players a rare chance to compete on an international level for their nations, alongside some of the game’s top players who return to lead their teams.
Italy is once again spearheaded by world No. 8 Jasmine Paolini, who will join forces with fellow Olympic doubles gold medallist Sara Errani when they take on Japan.
Team USA’s top-ranked singles player will be Iva Jovic, the 18-year-old who reached her maiden Grand Slam quarter-final at this year’s Australian Open. They face Belgium, who have world doubles No. 1 Elise Mertens among their ranks.
In Biel, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Belinda Bencic hopes to guide Switzerland back to the BJK Cup finals after three years. They host Czechia, which has a dangerous lineup including former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová and world No. 14 Linda Nosková.
Elsewhere, Ukraine has two top 30 players in their squad to face Poland: world No. 7 Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk, who has won 10 of her 13 singles matches in the BJK Cup.
April 10-11
The Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers will be shown by local broadcasters of the participating nations. In selected territories, matches will also be available on billiejeankingcup.com and the World Cup of Tennis app.
For the full list of broadcasters, click here.