There are a lot of positive signs for Team Canada heading into the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs.
Their players are in good form, they are familiar with their surroundings, and on paper boast the strongest team. But that does not mean the Canadians are expecting to have an easy few days in Monterrey, Mexico.
“We take every match very seriously. We don't take anything for granted,” said captain Marie-Ève Pelletier at the team’s pre-event press conference on Thursday. “Just like everyone has done in the past to have success, we get ready for one match at a time, and that's the approach we have again this weekend.”
Canada is taking on the host Mexicans and Team Denmark in Group A of the Play-offs, with the group winner advancing to the 2026 Qualifiers. The other two teams will go down to their regional Group I zones.
In events like these, every little factor can make a difference. Familiarity is with opponents and the conditions are such examples. There are a few instances of such familiarity in this tie for the Canadians.
Read also: Representing Canada is Deeply Rooted in Family Pride for Carson Branstine and Freddie Freeman
The most obvious example is for Gabriela Dabrowski, who could find herself in a decisive tie on Sunday against her former doubles partner Giuliana Olmos. The Canadian and the Mexican played together in 2022 and 2023, winning a pair of titles including a WTA 1000 crown in Madrid, as well as qualifying for the WTA Finals in 2022.
When asked how she felt about clashing with her former partner, Dabrowski said, “Obviously, I wish her well, and I wish her a lot of success in her career, but at the same time, I really try to not pay attention to who's on the other side of the net. I really try to focus on the game. So hopefully, if that match comes, then it'll just be another opponent to try to figure out.”
Read also: Mboko, Dabrowski Lead Canada Into Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs - Meet the Team
Perhaps no one on the Canadian squad is currently more familiar with an opposing player this weekend than Marina Stakusic, who lost to Mexico’s No. 1 player Renata Zarazua last Sunday in the final of the WTA 125 event in Austin, Texas.
“Of course, I want revenge now from losing in the final to her,” said Stakusic with a laugh. “It was a tough match, but I believe that we can get our revenge this week. Hopefully we can just play some really good tennis against her. I know she's Mexico's number one, so it's going to be tough, but I think we have the capability to do it.”
Stakusic may not get a shot at revenge herself. If both teams nominate their highest-ranked players on Sunday, it would be Victoria Mboko trying to get revenge on Stakusic’s behalf.
Read also: Meet Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup Opposition - Mexico and Denmark
Dabrowski was also asked about playing in Monterrey. She won the WTA 250 event there back in 2015 with Alicja Rosolska of Poland and returned this past August with Erin Routliffe, reaching the quarter-finals.
During the press conference, Dabrowski was asked whether or not her history in the city gave her an edge, to which she replied, “I hope it's an advantage. The last time I played, besides August this year, was in 2015 so when I came back in August, it was like my ten-year anniversary of being here, and it was really nice to be back. I like the conditions. I do hope it's an advantage and helps us.”
The vibes around this young Canadian squad, that includes three players age 20 or younger, are very positive despite the high-stakes tennis ahead of them.
“I'm really excited. I'm really happy with the team we have. I feel very comfortable with them. So I'm just really excited overall for the tournament, and I hope we can bring out some good tennis to help us get through," said Canada’s No. 1 singles player Mboko at the press conference.
Read also: Marie-Ève Pelletier is embracing a new Team Canada role in Monterrey
The 18-year-old is the youngest member of the team but also the highest-ranked after her spectacular 2025 season, which saw her climb more than 300 spots in the WTA rankings and win her first two WTA Tour titles, including the National Bank Open in Montreal.
Photo : ITF
“This year has felt pretty long but very short. I'm really glad to have experienced many things for the first time, because it's my first year on the WTA tour, and I feel like I've learned a lot this past year,” explained Mboko. “And I'm still learning a lot. So I'm just glad to end the season here and be in good spirits. I feel really happy looking back at everything that has happened, and hopefully I can continue on next year.”
Read also: Rybakina Wins WTA Finals
“We are very proud of the team that we have here. We've had a great time, great energy and are really excited. I think we're all set and ready to go for this weekend,” said Pelletier of her squad. Canada plays their first tie on Saturday against Denmark before facing off with Mexico in the final tie on Sunday.
CLICK HERE for everything you need to know about the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Play-Offs.
Feature Photo : Florence Gauthier
