Five things you need to know about the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals
08/11/2024 12:14
As the countdown continues to the women's World Cup of Tennis finale, here is some essential information about the largest women's team competition in sport.
By Ross McLean
Five things you need to know about the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals:
1) For the first time in history, the Billie Jean King Cup Finals will be played alongside the Davis Cup Finals in a true World Cup of Tennis. The Billie Jean King Cup Finals take place from 13-20 November and the Davis Cup Final 8 from 19-24 November. A unique, world-class fortnight of international team tennis will take place at Malaga’s Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena Arena.
2) Previously known as Fed Cup, the competition was rebranded in 2020 to align with Billie Jean King – a global icon who has dedicated her life to fighting injustice, inequality and discrimination. The rebranding not only recognised King’s achievements in winning the tournament an incredible10 times as player and captain, but ensures she will remain a visible role model for future generations.
3) Thanks to the partnership with and support of title sponsor Gainbridge, the Billie Jean King Cup Finals offer equivalent prize money to Davis Cup – the men’s version of the competition. The player prize money purse for the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals is $9.6m. The 2024 world champions will receive a combined $2.4m.
4) Billie Jean King Cup is the largest annual international women’s team competition in sport. A record 137 nations entered the competition 2024. By the end of the season, 16 home-or-away ties will have been played across April’s Qualifiers and November’s Play-offs and 11 events all around the world at regional group level.
5) The Billie Jean King Cup celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023 and during that time some wonderful players have contested some electrifying matches of international team tennis. With 18, the United States hold the record for the most Billie Jean King Cup titles, with Czechia second on the all-time list with 11. Canada are the defending champions after claiming their maiden title in 2023.
