Martinez aims to make 2023 BJK Cup Finals the best yet

New Billie Jean King Cup Finals Tournament Director Conchita Martinez has set her sights high, pledging to work as hard as possible to make this year’s Finals the best yet. 

Martinez, who was unveiled as the Tournament Director on Thursday morning, is excited about putting on the women’s World Cup of Tennis in her home country. 

“When I found out it was coming to Spain, I was very, very happy,” she explained. “It’s a wonderful event and people in Spain will get to see the best teams. It’s exciting times! 

“Having the competition coming to Spain again is a great opportunity. I want this to be the greatest Billie Jean King Cup in history and I’ll be working hard to make this happen. I feel amazing and want to thank the ITF and Billie Jean for an amazing opportunity.” 

Billie Jean King Cup, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, is one of just three major team competitions taking place in the region of Andalusia later this year.  

The Junior Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup Finals will also take place in Cordoba and the Davis Cup Finals will be held in Malaga. 

The Junta de Andalusia’s Regional Secretary of Sports Jose Maria Arrabal outlined why he was so keen to bring such a festival of tennis to his region. 

“We love the game. We believe tennis is a gamechanger, a driver of prosperity,” he said. “Andalusia has a love story with sports, but this is a tremendous opportunity. If we see society through the eye of an athlete, it will be a better society. We want to leave a legacy. 

“We love the Davis Cup and the Junior Davis Cup and BJK Cup Finals, but the Billie Jean King Cup from an equality perspective is unique. We want this to be special and we want this to shine. We’re committed from end-to-end. Hopefully, we’ll make something special and in the meantime we’ll have fun doing it.”

Billie Jean King believes that the competition that bears her name is in safe hands with Martinez in the Tournament Director role. 

“She is such a dynamic person on and off the court,” King said. “She’s just got the gift. We’re thrilled to have her. She’ll make a big difference.” 

And with the competition celebrating a major milestone in 2023 and King herself looking ahead to a big birthday at the end of the year, the American legend explained how she has grown to feel differently about the competition now that it’s named after her. 

“I feel very different about it now with my name on the cup,” she said. “Because it’s about the world now and not just USA. It’s really important to instil the importance of team and of representing something bigger than yourself. It affects how you think. It’s really exciting.” 

The 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals will take place in Seville on 7-12 November. Ticket details will be announced soon.