Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula absent from Billie Jean King Cup squad

Monday, 09 October 2023 at 20:30

The USA's Billie Jean King Cup team roster has been revealed, and it's notable for the absence of Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula.

Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1, is the captain of the American squad, which is set to compete in the tournament's Finals. However, they won't have their two top-ranked players on the team due to scheduling conflicts.

Coco Gauff, currently ranked No. 3 in the world, and Jessica Pegula, sitting at No. 4, will not be able to participate in the team event. This decision comes because of the close proximity of the Billie Jean King Cup to the WTA Finals, which are scheduled from October 29th to November 5th in Cancun.

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In contrast, the Billie Jean King Cup is set to be held in Sevilla from November 7th to 12th, leaving very little time for adequate rest or team training for the American players.

As a result, the American team will be led by Madison Keys, ranked 11th, and Sofia Kenin, ranked 31st. Joining them are other former top-10 players, including Sloane Stephens (ranked 36th) and Danielle Collins (ranked 45th). Taylor Townsend, who is ranked 77th in singles and 8th in doubles, is also part of the squad.

The American team faces a tough challenge from the beginning as they share their group with the current champions Switzerland, led by Belinda Bencic (15th), and the strong Czech Republic team, which includes recent Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova and the 2023 French Open finalist Karolina Muchova.

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In contrast to Gauff and Pegula, the Czech players will be participating in both the WTA Finals and the Billie Jean King Cup.

The close proximity in the tournament schedule had already resulted in the absence of Iga Swiatek, who mentioned that she would not be representing Poland this year due to health reasons. On the other hand, Elena Rybakina will be present, leading the Kazakhstani team.

As for Aryna Sabalenka and Ons Jabeur, their respective countries, Belarus and Tunisia, are not qualified for the final phase of the tournament among nations.

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Squad is set! See you soon, @BJKCup!

Graphic showing Billie Jean King Cup team which includes Sofia Kenin, Sloane Stephens, Taylor Townsend, Madison Keys and Danielle Collins

2:09 PM · Oct 9, 2023

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

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