Former world number one wants tennis World Cup

Billie Jean King, the tennis legend, enthusiastically supports the idea of merging the women’s Billie Jean King Cup and the men’s Davis Cup into one unified World Cup of tennis. She believes that having a single World Cup would provide greater clarity and appeal for fans around the world, as they are accustomed to the format of international competitions like the World Cup in other sports.

King expressed her desire for unity between the men’s and women’s tournaments, emphasizing that it would enhance the overall tennis experience and promote a sense of togetherness. She believes that people appreciate seeing all tennis players – regardless of gender – united and celebrating the sport together.

However, King acknowledges that there are numerous logistical and organizational challenges that need to be addressed before combining the tournaments. Tournament director Conchita Martinez also voiced her support for the merger, but stressed the importance of ensuring equal treatment for women, including equal playing time on show courts and access to practice courts.

Both the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup are already branded as the “World Cup of tennis,” with the Davis Cup Finals set to take place in Malaga in late November, featuring eight teams competing in the knockout stage. Unfortunately, the women’s finals in Seville will not include the top four players in the world due to various reasons such as scheduling conflicts and national team bans.

Despite the challenges, the organizers of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals remain committed to promoting the importance of team competition in tennis. Martinez, a former Wimbledon champion, believes that the unique values and experiences offered by team events, such as the bonds formed among teammates and the opportunity to play for one’s country, should be highlighted to inspire younger players.