Proud history, bright future: Prague provides brillant BJK Cup Finals

A fresh look, world-class athletes teaming up, passion personified. Edition one of the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals has set the bar high for years to come.

In the past couple of years, the sporting world has been forced to adapt and roll with the uncertain times of the global pandemic. Now we have the chance to look forward more, the feel-good factor is well and truly back on the scene in women’s tennis.

United by their flag, team work and talent have been combined to encapsulate all that was hoped for in the inaugural Finals.

Both two years and two months in the making, it has been worth the wait.

Fans in the stands - banging some booming drums - to witness major players rising to the occasion, breaking out some dance moves and bold shot-making: you name it, footage has beamed around the world showcasing 12 teams brimming with elite players and emerging stars at the O2 Arena in Prague.

Socially-distanced selfies with their favourites, young fans leapt into the air with excitement from meeting their heroes, the power of sport was truly on display.

‘Be Bold, Make History’ was the message and right from the get go, we were spoilt with captivating contests.

On the very first evening, home colours polka-dotted around the arena as Marketa Vondrousova dropped just for games in an impeccable dismissal of Germany’s Andrea Petkovic.

“It’s great. I love team events, since I was 12 years old, I’ve always played, kids, 14s, 16s, I always loved to play for Czech,” said the Tokyo 2020 silver medalist. “This is amazing, this is a dream.”

So many of the players in Prague referred to the ‘dream’ of starring in their home colours - and so many players stepped up.

The calibre of the competitors was confirmed with Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova edged in a three-set thriller by three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1 Angelique Kerber. Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic soon joined the party to sparkle for Switzerland.

Anastastia Pavlyuchenkova compiled a collection of superb matches, describing her near three-hour battle with Alize Cornet as “Like two tigers, nobody wanted to give to each other anything… I think it was an amazing fighting spirit from both of us.”

You can paint the picture.

It wasn’t all about the established names of the Grand Slams and  Olympic Games. Results and rankings frequently dissolve into meaningless in team tennis, players flourishing while adorning their national emblems.

Inspired by her Russian Tennis Federation teammate, BJK Cup debutant Liudmila Samsonova played an integral role in guiding RTF into the silverware showdown, scoring singles and doubles wins over USA in the semi-finals.

“I can't even describe what it feels like. Today is one of the most exciting and important days of my entire life! We are in the Final of BJK Cup. Proud and overjoyed,” declared the world No. 40, grinning from cheek to cheek. [Ed. - That was yesterday...]

“Of course, Nastia [Pavlyuchenkova] is the boss of the team and I’m trying to learn a lot from her, because I’m the youngest, I don’t have so much experience.”

She does now.

Another stellar example was Storm Sanders. The world No. 131 dispatched 18th-ranked Elise Mertens to set the tone for a mightily impressive debut in the green and gold of Australia.

“That was the most incredible feeling - I’m still shaking,” said Sanders. “I never thought I’d be playing singles for Australia in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. It’s a dream come true.”

The legendary Billie Jean King hailed it a “gift” to have the historic competition in her name and the players were evidently honoured to have the all-time legend and trailblazer watching on from courtside.

“Having the person the event is named after watching you is incredible,” said USA’s Sloane Stephens. “Having Billie here is amazing, and she has inspired us all.

“Fellow American Danielle Collins echoed those sentiments, adding: “It is super-inspiring. I know it means the world to everyone on the team." 

The feel-good factor built to a crescendo for a fitting farewell for Carla Suarez Navarro. By now you should know her incredible story, of beating cancer to then say adios to tennis on her own terms in 2021.

The former world No. 6 helped Spain clinch a doubles triumph over Slovakia before an emotional send off.

A video featuring a host of players competing in Prague played on the big screens at the O2 Arena, all offering their messages of congratulations and memories of the 33-year-old’s magnificent career.

“I was trying to get a practice session with her but she was booked for miles down the road,” Coco Vandeweghe said during the poignant video. “I think that speaks to the type of person that she is.”

One of the most popular out there, tennis will miss Carla on court.

There was time for the Spanish team to launch her into the air with a trampoline of their arms - a standout memory from this opening instalment of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.

Whether it was past reflections, present heroics or inspiring the next generation to wield a racket, Prague has delivered a week to live long in the memory.