Emma Raducanu could be in awkward BJK Cup spot as Brit in need of rankings boost

Emma Raducanu could find herself in a tricky position at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in September if she doesn't get her ranking up. The 22-year-old has been named in Britain's squad for the event dubbed the World Cup of women's tennis, along with Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage.

However, Raducanu is currently the British No. 3 behind Boulter and Kartal, and it means she will be unlikely to play in the singles rubbers unless she can surpass her countrywomen, or the captain decides to drop the higher-ranked players.

The BJK Cup format sees the second-best players for each country face each other in singles, before the No. 1 players compete in a second singles rubber. If needed, they go to a decisive doubles match.

However, if Raducanu is still the British No. 3 by the time Britain arrive in Shenzhen for the BJK Cup finals in mid-September, she only way she will be able to play is if British team captain Anne Keothavong decides not to pick Boulter for the No. 1 singles match.

It would mean Kartal would play the second singles rubber while Raducanu could play the first one. Alternatively, Raducanu could be called up for the No. 1 match if Burrage competes in the opening rubber.

But there is still plenty of time for things to change in the rankings between the three Brits, as there are only five places between them this week.

Boulter is still the top-ranked British woman at No. 41 in the world. Kartal is at No. 45 and Raducanu is hot on her heels at No. 46.

The former US Open champion will also have the chance to pick up some extra points in the coming weeks. She reached the quarter-final in Washington last year and is defending some points there.

Afterwards, Raducanu will head to the WTA 1000 events in Canada and Cincinnati, which she did not play in 2024. It means that any matches she wins there will help her leapfrog her countrywomen in the rankings.

Britain are set to face Japan in their knockout quarter-final on Thursday, September 18. This is the third time in the last four years that team GB have made it to the BJK Cup Finals.

Raducanu was not part of the squad for Britain's qualifier ties in April. Kartal, making her team debut, won both of her singles matches against Germany's Jule Niemeier and the Netherlands' Eva Vedder.

Boulter beat Tatjana Maria in their tie against Germany but lost her singles match the following day to Dutchwoman Suzan Lamens. However, Boulter teamed up with Burrage to beat Lamens and Demi Schuurs in a winner-take-all doubles rubber.

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