Australia to replace Russian Tennis Federation in Billie Jean King Cup Finals

The International Tennis Federation Board of Directors has confirmed the process for replacing the Russian and Belarusian teams during the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup season.

This follows the suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) and Belarus Tennis Federation (BTF) from ITF membership and from participation in ITF international team competitions on 1 March 2022. 

As 2021 champions, the RTF team had qualified automatically for the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Finals. The ITF Board has confirmed that RTF’s position in the Finals will go to the highest-ranked losing semi-finalist in 2021, Australia.

Consequently, Australia will not compete in the Qualifiers on 15-16 April 2022. Their opponents, Slovakia, will receive a bye and advance directly to the 2022 Finals. 

Belarus were due to compete in the Qualifiers on 15-16 April 2022. Their opponents, Belgium, will receive a walkover and advance directly to the 2022 Finals. 

Australia, Slovakia and Belgium will join 2021 runners-up Switzerland at the 2022 Finals alongside the winning nations from the remaining seven Qualifier ties in April and the host nation (to be announced).