Team GB captain Anne Keothavong praised the players who “show up” after Emma Raducanu opted against representing her country at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals this week. Team GB reached the semi-finals of the competition before losing to the United States on Saturday.
Raducanu was named in the Team GB squad for this month’s Billie Jean King Cup back in July, but withdrew from the squad in order to appear at the Korea Open. In the absence of the 22-year-old, Team GB overcame Japan in the quarter-finals to set up a showdown with the USA in the last four. But the team ultimately fell short as Sonay Kartal was defeated by Emma Navarro in the opening match, before Katie Boulter lost to 2024 US Open finalist Jessica Pegula.
Keothavong was quizzed about her team’s performance in China following the defeat to the United States.
And she explained: “I think as a team we’ve come such a long way. This is my eighth year as captain. The fact that we’re competing to reach the final in this, and we’ve showed consistency in recent years, challenging the very best.”
And commenting on the players who represented Team GB, she added: “I think this competition takes a lot out of players. It’s a busy schedule.
“But the fact that I’ve got a team of players here this week who show up, who take a huge amount of pride and joy in representing their nation, the environment we’ve created as a team, I’d like to think it’s a joyful place for everyone to be and to be part of.”
Boulter also spoke out about her experiences in the competition as she stated: “For me personally, I always love walking out there and playing for my country. I think for me it’s where I get my biggest wins and my lowest losses, as well.”
And Kartal added: “It’s these weeks that I’ve always said that there are a few highlights in people’s careers.
“For me, playing these events is top three. It’s a huge honour to represent your country.”
Raducanu, meanwhile, suffered an early exit at the Korea Open after losing to 2024 Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova in the last 16 of the tournament.
The former US Open champion led 6-4, 5-2 at one stage of the match as she appeared to be cruising to victory.
But she blew three match points as Krejcikova eventually hit back to win in three sets.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk