Copper Box Arena to serve up GB’s Billie Jean King Cup tie

The Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team return to the venue after being led by Johanna Konta and Katie Boulter to a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan in front of more than 11,000 fans over a weekend in 2019.

GB and Sweden will compete for a place in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers, with the Lexus GB team recording their best finish in the competition since 1981 when reaching the 2022 semi-finals.

Defeat to France in this year’s Qualifiers means they meet Sweden in a Play-off tie to keep alive the possibility of a return to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in 2024.

Hackney’s Anne Keothavong, the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team captain, said: “We had a really great time at the Copper Box Arena in 2019, securing the win that saw us return to the World Group for the first time since 1993.

“The atmosphere was fantastic then, and we hope it can be even bigger and better in November. We love these weeks we get to come together as a team, especially when it’s in front of a home crowd, and on a personal level to have international women’s tennis on the doorstep of where I grew up and learnt to play is really special.”

Scott Lloyd, LTA chief executive, added: “The Billie Jean King Cup as an international team competition provides a unique atmosphere that has the ability to excite and inspire new and existing fans of the sport.

“We are delighted to once again be hosting the Billie Jean King Cup, back at the Copper Box Arena, giving fans a chance to enjoy world class tennis here in Britain all year round.”

The Copper Box Arena is managed by GLL, a charitable social enterprise and worker-owned cooperative, operating under the community-brand, Better.

Stuart Hutchison, general manager of the Copper Box, said: “Copper Box Arena has a legacy of hosting world-class sporting events, and we are committed to creating an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and everyone involved. The Billie Jean King Cup is a huge event and we can’t wait to welcome top class tennis from the world’s best.”

Edward Fane, Head of Venues at the London Legacy Development Corporation, added: “We are excited to be welcoming the LTA and some of the world’s best female tennis players back to Copper Box Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

“The Billie Jean King Cup is one of many events taking place at this versatile venue throughout the year from e-sports, sports and music at Copper Box Arena. Great to be welcoming tennis fans back to the box that rocks this November!”

Sweden secured their place in the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs by advancing from their Europe/Africa I Group in April this year. GB and Sweden are tied 3-3 in their Billie Jean King Cup head-to-head, with Sweden winning the last three ties between the teams, most recently in a 2012 World Group II Play-Off when they won 4-1, in Boras, Sweden.

The LTA is committed to making tennis more accessible and this unique opportunity to see world-class international tennis comes with tickets starting at £5 for children and £10 for adults. A priority window for LTA Advantage members will run from September 4 before tickets go on general sale at 10am on September 7, via the LTA website.