2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers PREVIEW: Emma RADUCANU, Iga SWIATEK, Naomi OSAKA and Angelique KERBER all in action

Between 12-13 April, 2024 and before the start of the main clay court action in the WTA, the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers are the name of the game.

Taking place across the globe in the respective countries of the home teams, there are qualifiers first and foremost with eight clashes and the winners competing for spots in the Finals in November.

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Of the main ties, Poland will face Switzerland with the former in particular being of note as they are led by Iga Swiatek. That takes place in Switzerland. France are at home and will face Great Britain. The former led by Caroline Garcia. It will also herald Emma Raducanu's first appearance for the first time since 2022.

She is joined in the team by Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Heather Watson. There were some doubts whether Raducanu would play after a recent back injury that took her out of Miami. But she will play in Le Portel and like Swiatek head to Stuttgart.

Strong USA team without Collins or Gauff but expected to win easily

USA will be expected to overwhelm Belgium. Their team features five top singles stars in Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Caroline Dolehide and Taylor Townsend. Two of those in Keys and Navarro currently face a battle to make the Olympic Games.

This is behind many including Raducanu's decision to play due to eligibility criteria for Paris. But in the case of Navarro and Keys, Danielle Collins emergence in her final year and only four spots going between 7/8 players spells a dilemma.

Angelique Kerber in action for Germany this year at the 2024 United Cup.

Osaka and Kerber to return

Naomi Osaka will return to Billie Jean King Cup action when she forms part of Japan's team to face Kazakhstan who will not have Elena Rybakina in tow. Brazil will have to rely on Beatriz Haddad Maia in their campaign with a strong Germany team the opponent. Led by Tatjana Maria, they are also joined by Angelique Kerber, Laura Siegemund, Eva Lys and Anna-Lena Friedsam.

Other ties are Australia v Mexico. Albeit with Ajla Tomljanovic missing from the former meaning Arina Rodionova who despite being Aussie No.1 is often left out in the cold and Daria Saville as well as a strong doubles contingent will aim for a home win over Mexico. Slovakia face Slovenia and Ukraine face Romania. Albeit the latter are without Simona Halep.

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Halep is without yet being confirmed by the tournament set to play Rouen like Naomi Osaka but cited medical reasons behind her decision not to play in the USA. Elina Svitolina and Lesia Tsurenko lead a strong Ukraine team against Ana Bogdan and Jaqueline Cristian who lead Romania.

Format and qualifiers featuring Wozniacki, Zheng Qinwen and Ostapenko

Also taking place next week are the regional events for the Billie Jean King Cup with future qualifying spots on the line. Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sakkari, Qinwen Zheng and Jelena Ostapenko will play those.

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Sakkari, Ostapenko and Wozniacki will be in Lisbon for their respective countries. The top four from this group will reach November's Billie Jean King Cup play-offs. Zheng Qinwen plays in China.

As ever, it will be played out in a best of four with all four played out. Sixteen teams will play for eight spots in the finals. The eight winning teams will play at the Finals and the eight losing teams will play in the 2024 Play-Offs.

Canada and Italy as finalists of the 2023 Finals, the host nation in Spain and the wildcard in Czech Republic are already there and make up four of the 12 nations involved.