Billie Jean King Cup 2026: India to host Asia/Oceania Group I tennis tournament for second successive year
The Indian women’s tennis team will get to enjoy home court advantage for a second straight year with the Billie Jean King Cup 2026 Asia-Oceania Group I set to be held in New Delhi from April 7 to 11.“India has been given the privilege of hosting the World Cup of Women Tennis 2026 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Asia/Oceania Group I Event in April this year," Anil Dhupar, the All India Tennis Association (AITA) secretary general, said in a statement on Thursday.The newly-renovated courts of the Delhi Lawn Tennis Association (DLTA) will host the tournament, which will also feature Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Mongolia and Thailand. All teams will play each other once in a round robin format.Each tie will be a best-of-three affair consisting of two singles and one doubles match. Once all the ties are done, the top two teams will secure promotion to the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs scheduled later this year. The bottom two will be relegated to the Asia/Oceania Group II.Last year, India hosted the Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I stage for the first time at Pune’s Mahalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex.The Indian tennis team, spearheaded by Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, finished the group as runner-ups behind New Zealand to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs for only the second time in history after 2021.However, India’s run ended in the playoffs after losses to the Netherlands and Slovenia.The Billie Jean King Cup, formerly known as the Fed Cup, is one of the most prestigious international tennis events for women. It brings together top-ranked players from different countries to compete in a team format. The tournament is the women’s equivalent of the Davis Cup.
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