Who is playing Billie Jean King Cup Finals? Linda Noskova, Zheng Qinwen and Elena Rybakina set for Shenzhen
WTAFriday, 31 July 2026 at 15:30
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals nominations have been set with Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova, Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen leading the way in Shenzhen during mid September (22-27).
Jasmine Paolini and doubles partner Sara Errani are also back to lead two-time defending champions Italy in the competition which will take place in China this time around. Noskova will be joined by Karolina Muchova in a stacked Czech team. Despite no Barbora Krejcikova, it will also feature Marie Bouzkova and Katerina Siniakova.
Perhaps the strongest team on paper going into the tournament. Rybakina has decided to head to China post the US and will be joined by Yulia Putintseva as part of the team. Belgium are led by Hanne Vandewinkel with Wim Fissette being their captain. China as home hopes have Zheng Qinwen leading the way.
As well as Zhang Shuai, Wang Xiyu, Guo Hanyu, Jiang Xinyu with Zheng Jie as captain. Great Britain perhaps is the most interesting as Emma Raducanu has either been snubbed for a spot in the tournament or she won't be ready. She has remained tight lipped as such about if she will return to the sport after withdrawing from Wimbledon with injury after reaching the Queen's final.
Instead Great Britain is made up of Harriet Dart, Katie Boulter, Mika Stojsavljevic and Jodie Burrage. Of course Sonay Kartal too can't play and also is out injured so it is a fairly depleted squad compared to normal.
Nominations Billie Jean King Cup Finals
| Team | Players | Captain |
| Belgium | Hanne Vandewinkel, Jeline Vandromme, Greet Minnen, Magali Kempen | Wim Fissette |
| China | Zhang Shuai, Wang Xiyu, Zheng Qinwen, Guo Hanyu, Jiang Xinyu | Zheng Jie |
| Czech Republic | Karolina Muchova, Linda Noskova, Marie Bouzkova, Katerina Siniakova | Barbora Strycova |
| Great Britain | Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Mika Stojsavljevic, Jodie Burrage | Anne Keothavong |
| Italy | Jasmine Paolini, Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti, Tyra Caterina Grant, Sara Errani | Tathiana Garbin |
| Kazakhstan | Elena Rybakina, Yulia Putintseva, Sonja Zhiyenbayeva, Zhibek Kulambayeva, Anna Danilina | Yuriy Schukin |
| Spain | Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera, Sara Sorribes Tormo | Carla Suarez Navarro |
| Ukraine | Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Oleksandra Oliynykova, Dayana Yastremska, Lyudmyla Kichenok | Illya Marchenko |
Defending champions Italy and Ukraine bring strong squads
Italy's team other than the leading two of Errani and Paolini forms other top names including Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Lucia Bronzetti and rising Italian ace Tyra Caterina Grant. Spain will be led by Jessica Bouzas Maneiro as well as Kaitlin Quevedo, Marina Bassols Ribera and Sara Sorribes Tormo.
Katie Boulter representing Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup
Perhaps the second strongest squad on paper outside of the Czech Republic is Ukraine with Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk electing to take part. They are also joined though by Oleksandra Oliynykova who has been on the rise in the past 18 months both in press conferences and also in winning matches as well as staples in Dayana Yastremska and Lyudmyla Kichenok.
Matchups feature two singles matches and a deciding doubles if necessary. Nations can make up to four changes to their squads if needs be until the day before the finals. This in theory could give a way in for Emma Raducanu if she is fit as she can still be elected to take a further spot. But she was snubbed in April for the squad so whether that happens or not remains to be seen.
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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