Emma Raducanu 'unavailable' for Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers



by DZEVAD MESIC

Emma Raducanu 'unavailable' for Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers

Emma Raducanu is "unavailable" for Great Britain's upcoming Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers tie against France, per British captain Anne Keothavong. From April 14-15, Great Britain will be hosting France, the winner of that tie progressing into the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

On April 17th, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart is kicking off. Raducanu, who is the global ambassador for Porsche, is signed up to play on the clay courts of Stuttgart. The Great Britain and France tie will be played on an indoor-hard surface.

Changing surfaces is always tricky and that's probably the reason why Raducanu elected to skip the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers.

Raducanu may return to the British team in 2023

If Great Britain beats France, they will continue their 2023 Billie Jean King Cup campaign.

British captain Keothavong didn't rule out the possibility of Raducanu suiting up for her national team again in the near future. "I'm pleased to name the same team as the one we had four months ago in Glasgow where we gelled so well, and the team spirit was electric.

There were some memorable performances across the week to help us reach the semi-finals. While Emma is unavailable for this tie, we look forward to seeing her back on the team in the near future," Keothavong said, per BBC Sport.

Meanwhile, Raducanu just concluded a positive campaign in Indian Wells. After being out for two months, Raducanu returned to action in Indian Wells. At the start of the tournament, Raducanu was close to pulling out of the tournament as she was dealing with a wrist issue and the after effects of tonsilits.

But Raducanu made the call to play and the Briton ended up beating Danka Kovinic, Magda Linette and Beatriz Haddad Maia. In the round-of-16, Raducanu's Indian Wells campaign came to an end following a defeat against Iga Swiatek. Next up for Raducanu is the Miami Open, where she has been handed a wildcard.

Emma Raducanu Billie Jean King Cup Billie Jean King