Anne Keothavong reacts as Emma Raducanu skips BJK Cup again

Emma Raducanu has opted to begin her clay court season rather than represent Great Britain in the Billie Jean King Cup.

Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, Jodie Burrage and 17-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic are set to fly to Australia for the tie scheduled for April 10-11.

Instead of joining the squad in Brisbane, Raducanu will feature at the Linz Open as she looks to recover from an injury that forced her out of Miami.

Keothavong responds to Raducanu’s BJK Cup decision

It’s been a while since Emma Raducanu last featured in a Billie Jean King Cup tie, but her captain Anne Keothavong says she understands why the player has chosen to skip this one.

This year’s tie is taking place in Australia, which isn’t ideal for players who are usually in Europe preparing for the clay court season at this time of year. It makes sense that some have decided not to make the trip.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Keothavong said: “It’s a difficult time of year to be going back to Australia. It’s the start of the clay-court season for most of the players.”

“I know most of the players take huge pride in representing Great Britain in this competition, but they also have to make choices for their own tennis and for their own health.”

The 2021 US Open winner has a strong 6/1 record in BJK Cup ties, so it’s no surprise there are those disappointed she won’t be involved again.

Britain face an Australian side made up of Maya Joint, Talia Gibson, Kimberly Birrell, Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez – all talented players.

Emma Raducanu chooses Linz Open over Billie Jean King Cup

Choosing to skip the Billie Jean King Cup wasn’t an easy call for Raducanu, but she wasn’t the only one to make that decision this year.

Katie Boulter and Fran Jones also opted out of the trip to Australia, and with a favourable draw at the Linz Open, Raducanu’s choice becomes more understandable.

She enters the tournament as the sixth seed and showed at the Transylvania Open that she’s more than capable of going deep in a WTA 250 event.

The field also includes Emma Navarro and Ekaterina Alexandrova, both struggling for form lately, alongside Jelena Ostapenko and Sorana Cirstea.

If Raducanu can come through and win in Austria, it would be a strong response to her critics – and it’s within reach given her current level.

A title in Linz would be her first since that remarkable US Open run back in 2021.

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