Slam dunk: Seven major champions to play Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers

The teams have been announced for the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers and there are no less than seven Grand Slam singles champions among the 64 players set to compete for their country.

Iga Swiatek, ranked No. 4 in the world, leads a Polish team that will face a tough test against Romania, who will look to two-time major champion Simona Halep to carry them into the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the first time.

Spain have put forward a full-strength side for their trip to Netherlands. Anabel Medina Garrigues’ team includes Top 10 duo Paula Badosa, ranked No. 7, and Garbine Muguruza, ranked No. 9. New Dutch captain Elise Tamaela knows her team will have a mountain to overcome should they take down the visitors in ’s-Hertogenbosch.

USA's tie against Ukraine looks like one of the closest contests in the Qualifiers. World No. 11 Danielle Collins and No. 19 Jessica Pegula will be hoping home advantage plays in their favour against a Ukrainian team that includes world No. 18 Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk.

Great Britain were given the toughest draw possible with an away trip to Czech Republic – the most dominant force in the women’s world cup of tennis in recent years – but Anne Keothavong’s side will be led into battle by 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.

The 19-year-old will need to find the kind of form that saw her rise to fame last year if the Brits are to have any chance of overcoming the likes of Marketa Vondrousova and Tereza Martincova on home soil.

Canada’s Leylah Fernandez will spearhead the North Americans against a Latvian team that will be looking to Jelena Ostapenko to continue her fine form this season.

Kazakhstan and Germany is another contest that seems too close to call. World No. 20 Elena Rybakina will carry the hopes of the home side, while Germany’s experienced team can count on No. 16 Angelique Kerber.

France have a mix of experience and youth in their side, with Alize Cornet lining up alongside Caroline Garcia, Clara Burel and Kristina Mladenovic. Hosts Italy will be hoping that playing on home soil, in Sardinia, gives them the edge - and with Camila Giorgi and Jasmine Paolini in the side, the rankings favour the Italians.

The seven winning nations in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers will join the four teams that have already qualified for the 2022 Finals – Australia, Belgium, Slovakia and Switzerland.