Sawt Falasteen - China's Shenzhen to host Billie Jean King Cup Finals

The past two editions of the women's team tournament have been held in Spain -- in Seville in 2023, where Canada were the champions, and in Malaga last year, where Italy triumphed.

It is the first time the BJK Cup Finals, previously known as the Fed Cup, is being held in China. The last time it was held in Asia was in Tokyo in 1989.

The ITF said the move marked a "new era for the women's world cup of tennis".

"This represents a significant milestone in the event's history, reflecting its commitment to creating the brightest, boldest, and most unifying platform for women's tennis globally," the governing body said in a statement.

China's Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen, the world number five, said having the tournament in Shenzhen was a "dream come true".

"This event reflects the incredible progress of tennis in China and highlights how women's sports continue to thrive here," she said.

Retired US tennis star Billie Jean King, who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, said: "Shenzhen embodies the spirit of growth and innovation that is at the core of the Billie Jean King Cup, expanding the reach of tennis and championing the power of women's sports."

In 2021 the season-ending WTA Finals were moved from Shenzhen to the Mexican city of Guadalajara due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The same year the WTA, which runs the women's professional Tour, suspended all tournaments in China following sexual assault allegations by Chinese former doubles world number one Peng Shuai against a top government official.

Women's tennis returned to China in September 2023.

The draw for the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers took place in London on Thursday.

The qualifiers are being played as six groups of three nations as the BJK Finals transition from a 12-team event in 2024 to an eight-team event in 2025, mirroring the Davis Cup Final 8 format in the men's game.

Each three-day qualifiers group event will be held in one location in the week starting April 7, played on a round-robin basis.

The six group winners will join hosts China and defending champions Italy in the 2025 finals.

Teams finishing in second and third place in each group will compete in the 2025 play-offs, alongside the best-performing teams from the 2025 regional Group I events.

No dates have yet been set for this year's finals.

S.AbuJamous--SF-PST