Photo: Martin Sidorjak
On Sunday, at the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals in Glasgow, Scotland, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) held the draw for the 2023 tournament’s Qualifiers ties. Team Canada presented by Sobeys will host Belgium on April 14-15, 2023. The choice of playing surface, and site, as well as the rosters will be decided at a later date. Canada’s most recent home tie was against Latvia in Vancouver, BC in April, where they emerged as 4-0 winners.
Canada will take part in the Qualifiers stage having been knocked out of the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup Finals during the group stage. After beating Italy convincingly 3-0 in their opening round-robin tie, the Canadians lost 2-1 to finalists Switzerland, who advanced as Group A winners.
The last time Canada met Belgium in Billie Jean King Cup action was in April 2009 at the Grenslandhallen – Ethias Arena in Hasselt, Belgium. The Canadian team, consisting of Aleksandra Wozniak, Stephanie Dubois, Sharon Fichman and Valerie Tetreault were defeated 3-2 by a Belgian team which included Yanina Wickmayer, Kirsten Flipkens, Tamaryn Hendler and An-Sophie Mestach.
The 2022 finalists, Switzerland and Australia, both automatically qualify for the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals. The host nation, which is still to be announced, will receive the 12th place unless they have already qualified, in which case a wild card will be awarded.
The remaining nine teams will be decided by the Qualifiers ties, which will consist of two singles matches on day one and two singles matches followed by doubles on day two.
Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers
SPAIN vs Mexico
Ukraine vs CZECH REPUBLIC
Great Britain vs FRANCE
CANADA vs Belgium
USA vs Austria
SLOVAKIA vs Italy
GERMANY vs Brazil
KAZAKHSTAN vs Poland
Slovenia vs ROMANIA
The host countries are listed first. Seeded countries are uppercased.
