ITF terminates Budapest as BJK Cup Finals host city

The International Tennis Federation is looking for a new host city for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after terminating its agreement with Budapest.

The Billie Jean King Cup finals were supposed to be hosted in Budapest but the International Tennis Federation is looking for a new host city after they terminated the agreement with Budapest. The revamped competition that was formerly known as the Fed Cup will no longer take place at the Laszlo Papp Arena.

ITF President Dave Haggarty confirmed the decision on Tuesday:

"We have been working closely with the Hungarian Government and the Hungarian Tennis Association (HTA) to review all feasible options to reschedule this year's Finals."

Haggerty further commented:

"After working together in good faith for the past year, we were surprised and disappointed to be informed that the HTA no longer considers it possible to hold the event in Budapest. Given the timing, the ITF has been left with no other option than to end the hosting agreement with Hungary and explore an alternative solution."

The Hungarian Tennis Association (HTA) sent a letter to ITF on April 22nd explaining it was not possible to host the Finals in Budapest due to safety reasons related to the pandemic.

Haggerty also briefly commented on the future of the event by saying:

"The ITF will do everything in its power - for the sport, the players, nations, and the fans - to ensure this landmark competition in tennis and women's sports will be held as soon as it is reasonably practicable."