Photo: Srdjan Stevanovic
The Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas tie between Canada and Latvia will be played at the Pacific Coliseum
On Thursday, Tennis Canada announced that the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver will host the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas Qualifiers tie between Canada and Latvia on April 15 and 16, ahead of the 2022 Finals.
“We are very happy to be coming home to Canada, where we haven’t played since 2018,” said Heidi El Tabakh, captain of Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup Team presented by Sobeys. “It goes without saying that we will be following the epidemiological situation in British Columbia, as we continue to hope to play in front of an important home crowd, which will definitely give us a significant edge. One thing is certain: we are gearing up for a tough battle against the Latvian squad and remain focused on our mission to qualify for the 2022 Finals.”
“After a decade and a half, I’m thrilled the Billie Jean King Cup is returning to Vancouver. As an event that showcases and celebrates top female tennis players from Canada and around the world, the Cup inspires young female athletes and allows them to see themselves on the court. It’s a great example of the power of sport to drive positive change.” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport. “Welcoming the Cup to our province also speaks to B.C.’s reputation as a top-notch sport hosting jurisdiction in the world. Good luck to all players this spring, you’ll ace it!”.
Canada and Latvia will go head-to-head for the very first time. Canada is currently ranked No. 9 in Billie Jean King Cup competition, and Latvia is No. 14. The teams’ rosters will be announced in April.
The winner of the tie will qualify for the 2022 Finals in November. This year, 18 countries will compete in the qualifying event. At the inaugural Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November 2021, Canada posted one win and one loss in the round-robin stage.
The significance of hosting Billie Jean King Cup in British Columbia
Billie Jean King Cup is returning to British Columbia for the first time since 2007, when Canada was toppled by Israel in a tie in Kamloops, and for the first time in Vancouver since 1996.
“Our sport hosting experience has shown the world that Vancouver is a world-class destination with the most welcoming atmosphere for all,” mentioned Mayor Kennedy Stewart, City of Vancouver. “Bringing events back to our community is key for our economic recovery coming out of the pandemic. We look forward to having Tennis Canada back on the West Coast to celebrate the amazing talent at the Billie Jean King Cup, and provide an opportunity for our community to do what we do best – host an exceptional event.”
“We are honoured to have the opportunity to host a Billie Jean King Cup tie in Western Canada,” said Jennifer Bishop, Chair of Tennis Canada. “Thanks to the competition, fans from British Columbia and across the country will have the opportunity to witness the world’s best players in action. British Columbia is leading the country in growth of the game yet has a tremendous shortage of indoor courts for year-round play. That’s why Tennis Canada, in partnership with Tennis BC, is dedicated to supporting the sport’s development in British Columbia by making tennis more accessible. With support from the provincial and federal governments, we can support athletes at all levels, bring more tournaments and world-calss events to the province, and build new infrastructure, like the proposed Pacific Tennis Centre in Burnaby.”
“I am thrilled at the prospect of playing a Billie Jean King Cup tie in my home province of British Columbia, which I have not yet experienced in my career,” said Rebecca Marino, former World No.38 and Vancouverite. “After two particularly difficult years due to the pandemic, this event will be a unifier for the entire tennis community and will also be a great opportunity for new fans to discover our sport. Tennis is a fast-growing sport in BC and I’m proud that our province was chosen to showcase this tie.”
Tickets on sale on February 25th
Tickets for the showdown between Canada and Latvia on April 15 and 16 will go on sale on February 25th. Tennis Canada continues to monitor the evolution of the pandemic and measures implemented by government and public health authorities. As such, any required capacity adjustments will be made to the venue in accordance with those policies. To sign up to get a notification as soon as tickets go on sale, click here.
The competition gets underway on Friday, April 15 with two singles matches. On the following day, the teams will play three matches: two in singles and one in doubles.
