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Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup team is thriving as a result of the camaraderie and bond between its players, particularly between leading pair Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter. In a sport where players operate as sole traders for most of the year, this can be difficult. It has been suggested that integrating the 2021 US Open champion into a team environment could present challenges. However, this has not been the case for the Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team, which has reached the semi-finals thanks to the strong bonds between the players – particularly between Raducanu and Boulter – and the guidance of captain Anne Keothavong.
The bond has been strengthened by inside jokes and activities such as spikeball and yoga, as well as celebrations for Raducanu’s 22nd birthday. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, the Billie Jean King Cup team is not just a double act. Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Olivia Nicholls all played key roles in Britain’s run to the 2022 semi-finals and are more than capable of putting points on the board in Malaga.
Raducanu and Boulter have been standout performers so far, not dropping a set during their best-of-three wins over Germany and Canada. The duo is expected to keep their form, facing lower-ranked opponents in the semifinals against Slovakia, making Britain favorites to set up a final against Italy. Although the team was the second lowest-ranked team, its credible run is partly due to the uncertainty surrounding Raducanu’s fitness.
The Billie Jean King Cup has been more enjoyable for Raducanu with each round. “The more I play Billie Jean King Cup, the more I enjoy it, the more I feel like the stakes are so high – but in a really relaxed and exciting way,” she said. “Being able to captain this team is a huge privilege for me,” said Keothavong. “But the job is far from over.
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