Emma Raducanu forced to spend "memorable" birthday in hotel due to heavy storms in Malaga as Billie Jean King Cup commences

Due to the horrendous storms afflicting some parts of Spain, Emma Raducanu had a birthday to remember as she celebrated her 22nd birthday in the confines of a hotel in Malaga.

The British tennis star is representing Great Britain at the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, although the start of the international event was delayed on Thursday because of flooding on Costa del Sol. With businesses and public transportation shut down, no training sessions were allowed at the venue at the Palacio de Deportes in Malaga.

Great Britain faces Germany on Friday in their first-round match. However, with the team unable to leave their hotel due to the inclement weather, all the players and staff were forced to stay indoors.

"We were non-stop partying! No, I'm joking!" said Team leader Heather Watson.

With Raducanu celebrating her birthday on November 13, the 2021 US Open champion was unable to leave the premises for a proper celebration. However, it appears her teammates made the day memorable for the 22-year old.

“I'm really grateful that my team, they made a really big effort yesterday to make me feel really special," said Raducanu. "There were birthday banners, cake, balloons.
“Yeah, it was really nice, considering the weather. We couldn't really go out or do anything, but it's just how it goes. Yeah, even though those were the conditions, I still had a great time. It was very memorable. Yeah, I really felt a lot of love and from my friends back home, as well. I got a lot of nice messages, which was really sweet."

Despite being unable to leave their hotel, Team Great Britain team did hold three practice sessions at the venue on Tuesday. Their tie against Germany is the last of the first-round matches.