France and Great Britain have drawn together once again after a thrilling Billie Jean King Qualifier tie last year.
France will take on Great Britain for the fifth time in Billie Jean King Cup. In their most recent clash France beat Great Britain 3-1 in a tight Qualifier one year ago on an indoor hard court in their first tie since 1981. Caroline Garcia and Alizé Cornet won their singles matches against Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart.
Great Britain is looking to avenge last year’s result.
The French team features Caroline Garcia, Karoline Mladenovic, Clara Burel and Diane Perry in a mix of experienced and young players. French captain Julien Benneteau was part of the Davis Cup-winning team in 2017. Benneteau is one of the select players to have beaten Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Benneteau was named Billie Jean King Cup captain in 2018 and led France to victory against Australia in the Final in 2019.
France was narrowly defeated by Italy in the group stages at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville.
Great Britain won their Play-Off tie against Sweden. Katie Boulter scored two thrilling singles wins.
British captain Anne Keothavong, who won 22 matches during her playing career in the Billie Jean King Cup, has named world number 28 Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu.
Raducanu will make only her second appearance in the British team at this event. She missed most of the 2023 season after undergoing surgery on both wrists and her ankle.
Boulter and Raducanu have been selected to play singles.
Boulter will play against Diane Perry in the opening match. Raducanu will take on Garcia in the second match.
Bolulter has a good chance to qualify for the Olympic Games at Paris Roland Garros. The British player, who won the San Diego Open this year, has not played a professional match on clay. Both the Billie Jean King Cup tie at the Chaudron Le Portel and the Olympic Games will be held on this surface.
“The Olympics is always something I wanted to play as a kid and that is certainly a priority. I will be playing if I can, and I am looking forward to being a part of something which isn’t only tennis. I am sure it would be an experience I won’t forget”, said Boulter.
