Pune, March 24
Pune will host the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group-1 tournament for the first time in tennis history of the country, while Maharashtra will be hosting the event after a gap of 25 years from April 8 to 12 at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex.
Six teams from the Asia Oceania Zone including New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Korea and Thailand, apart from host India, will be playing in a round-robin format with all ties consisting of three matches - two singles followed by doubles.
"After the success of Mumbai Open WTA and the Maha Open ATP Challenger, MSLTA in association with AITA and PMDTA is thrilled to get another event of the highest level," said MSLTA secretary Sunder Iyer.
"MSLTA has hosted nearly all the big tennis events in Pune but we have never hosted the BKJC or the FED Cup. AITA and MSLTA bid for this event to make it easier for the girls to compete at the highest levels in the home conditions," added Iyer.
With home support and familiar conditions on their side, the Indian team will aim to replicate their past success in the competition and make a strong bid for one of the two qualification spots available from the region.
The Indian women’s tennis team, led by Ankita Raina, also features Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Vaidehi Chaudhari (all ranked between 300 and 358).