Iga Swiatek announced that she will play in the Billie Jean King Cup after initially deciding not to participate. The 5-time Grand Slam champion reversed her original decision not to play in Malaga, and the announcement comes just days after being dethroned from the top of the rankings by Aryna Sabalenka.
Poland had initially announced its Billie Jean King Cup team, featuring Magdalena Frech, Magda Linette, Maja Chwalinska, and Katarzyna Kawa. However, captain Dawid Celt seems to have convinced Swiatek to return to defend the European team.
Celt has a close relationship with Swiatek, having worked with her temporarily for nearly a month, after the 23-year-old announced changes to her team before hiring Wim Fisette as her coach.
A year ago, Swiatek chose not to participate in the competition following an exhausting season, as it was held just days after the WTA Finals. It was expected that this year she would take a break again, as she was not initially announced in the team.
The 4-time Roland Garros champion said: “See you in Malaga! I’m happy to announce that I will play in the BJKC Finals,” she posted on Instagram. “I’m glad that I’ll play for my country and proudly represent Poland. Together with team Poland we will give our best on the court. I hope you’ll watch and support us. See you soon.”
With this, Swiatek now has two events lined up before the end of the season. In two weeks, she will play the WTA Finals from November 2 to 9, while the Billie Jean King Cup finals are held between November 13 and 15. If Poland advances through the quarterfinals and semifinals, an eventual final will take place on November 20.
In the round of 16, Poland will face Spain, led by Paula Badosa. If they win, they will face the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, featuring Linda Noskova, Katerina Siniakova, Marie Bouzkova, and Karolina Muchova.
🎾 Widzimy się w Maladze! Cieszę się, że mogę dziś dać Wam znać, że zagram w finałach Billie Jean King Cup. Bardzo się cieszę, że będę mogła zagrać dla swojego kraju i jak zawsze z dumą reprezentować Polskę. Razem z całą ekipą damy z siebie wszystko i po prostu zagramy najlepiej…
