Emma Raducanu can be welcomed again into Nice Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup group “with open arms”, in response to Katie Boulter.
The previous US Open champion will play simply her second tie for her nation this week in France, two years after making her debut in opposition to the Czech Republic.
Accidents have prevented Raducanu being concerned within the intervening ties, and she or he indicated on the Australian Open that she would prioritise her well being this 12 months when contemplating whether or not to play.
However, with the tie on indoor clay, the identical floor as her subsequent WTA event in Stuttgart subsequent week, Raducanu will be part of Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and debutant Francesca Jones in Le Portel.
Boulter stated: “I am more than happy. We have missed her. We love having her again.
“Clearly the primary factor is that she’s wholesome. I’ve all the time stated it for myself and it is my greatest want for her as properly is that she will be able to keep as wholesome as potential. We’ll be welcoming her with open arms for certain.”
At 302, Raducanu is the lowest-ranked member of Anne Keothavong’s group, with Boulter at 28 and Dart additionally within the high 100, however it could be a serious shock if she was left on the bench for the tie on Friday and Saturday.
Raducanu gained certainly one of her two matches on her debut and confirmed promise in her first marketing campaign on clay, historically the weakest floor for British gamers, two years in the past.
‘GB utterly the underdogs in opposition to France’
Keothavong’s aspect are undoubtedly underdogs, significantly having misplaced to France on the identical stage final 12 months on onerous courts in Coventry.
The house aspect are led by world No 23 Caroline Garcia, who just lately defeated Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka on her method to the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, and Boulter stated: “It is a brutal match-up.
Raducanu hit her signature drop shot to place her forward in opposition to Dayana Yastremska on the Indian Wells
“We have already been on this place earlier than and we had it at residence. I feel if something it might assist us, we’re utterly the underdogs. I feel we have a free swing.
“Garcia is clearly taking part in some superb tennis proper now. Nevertheless it’s one other Billie Jean King Cup tie, something can occur.
“We have to maintain it very reasonable, it is everybody’s first week on clay. It is not my favorite floor however I am very excited to get on it. I feel we’ll come collectively as a group and maintain making an attempt to push one another and I am certain we’ll play some actually good tennis.”
Raducanu’s presence represents a lift for Britain in comparison with final 12 months, as does the speedy rise of Boulter, who at 27 has surged into the highest 30 for the primary time.
The Leicestershire participant lifted her second, and largest, WTA Tour title on the San Diego Open final month and has gained extra matches in opposition to top-50 opponents within the first three months of 2024 than in the remainder of her profession mixed.
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“It has been a little bit little bit of a whirlwind,” stated Boulter. “In some facets I am shocked, in different facets I am not shocked in any respect, which reveals that I’ve actually put a variety of work in and I really feel like I am stepping into the best path.
“I’m very reasonable on the identical time. Not all the things’s going to click on each week. I feel that is the place, going into the following a part of the season [on clay], I’ve acquired a free swing, as a result of it is clearly one thing I am not used to.
“It is one thing contemporary and thrilling however this final month has been a large, large leap for me.”
All it’s worthwhile to know forward of Britain’s tie in France
The GB Billie Jean King Cup group will tackle France for the second consecutive 12 months on Friday and Saturday.
The tie can be performed at Le Chaudronin Le Portel, France. The sector, which often performs host to the ESSM Le Portelbasketball group, has a capability of three,400.
The French group have chosen to have an indoor clay court docket for the tie.
Day one (Friday April 12) will get underway at 1:30pm – with two singles rubbers scheduled.
Day two (Saturday April 13) will begin at 12:30pm – with a potential three rubbers, two singles and one doubles.
Head-to-head
The present head-to-head between Nice Britain and France stands at 2-2.
The 2 sides return to face one another for a spot within the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the second 12 months in a row, after France edged an in depth contest in Coventry final 12 months, 3-1.
The winners of the tie will qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville in November.
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