Crew Canada has each cause to be assured that they will defend their Billie Jean King Cup title over the approaching days in Malaga.
Whereas the workforce that competes this yr is almost equivalent to the one which gained the title a yr in the past, a whole lot of elements are working much more within the Canadians’ favour than in 2023.
To start with, they’ve the championship pedigree. Leylah Annie Fernandez, Rebecca Marino, Gabriela Dabrowski, and Marina Stakusic have all gained this title earlier than. They know what it’s going to take to elevate the trophy.
Second, every member of the workforce is arriving in Malaga in even higher type than a yr in the past.
Three of them have gained titles within the final month. Dabrowski arrives recent off a historic victory on the WTA Finals, whereas Marino and Stakusic each lifted WTA 125 trophies which had been the most important wins of each of their careers.
“I’m feeling improbable proper now. It’s actually thrilling to be coming in off that win [in Midland],” stated Marino at Crew Canada’s pre-event press convention on Friday. “A number of confidence, particularly coming right into a workforce competitors like this.”
Marino’s WTA 125 victory was simply final week and was her fourth title of 2024. All 4 of her victories this yr had been greater than any title she had beforehand gained. She is 18-2 in her final 20 matches.
The truth that they’re all coming in in good type is just not misplaced on the members of Crew Canada.
“I’m coming in with a whole lot of confidence,” stated Stakusic, who gained her first WTA 125 trophy in October in Tampico, Mexico. “I do know all of them are, as effectively. I’m simply very comfortable to deliver hopefully some good vitality this week, and hopefully we are able to proceed as we did final yr.”
“I’m totally conscious that my teammates have additionally had improbable years. I believe we’re a extremely sturdy entrance and that makes me tremendous excited to come back in once more. I’m very excited for everybody,” expressed Marino.
Whereas Fernandez often is the one workforce member who didn’t elevate a trophy over the past month, she has posted some constantly stable outcomes on tour, most not too long ago reaching the semifinals in Hong Kong. In every of her final three occasions, she misplaced to an eventual finalist.
Placing WTA Tour occasions apart, the Lavalloise is at all times a pressure to be reckoned with on the Billie Jean King Cup.
Learn additionally: Fernandez, Dabrowski, Stakusic, Marino Again to Defend Billie Jean King Cup Title – Meet Crew Canada
Fernandez arrives on an eight-match profitable streak in Billie Jean King Cup competitors, profitable each single one among her matches (in each singles and doubles) throughout the 2023 title run, together with an ideal 5-0 report on the 2023 Finals.
She gained the event’s Coronary heart Award, which “goals to recognise gamers who’ve represented their nation with distinction, proven distinctive braveness on court docket and demonstrated excellent dedication to the workforce throughout Billie Jean King Cup” twice in 2023. She has gained it 3 times total, probably the most of any participant.
Regardless that it has been a yr for the reason that girls have suited up for Canada on the Billie Jean King Cup, all of them expressed their pleasure to be again collectively in Spain.
“It was an exquisite, great week, 10 days that I spent with the workforce [in Seville in 2023]. I used to be having an exquisite time,” mirrored Fernandez on final yr’s title run. “We had Marina for the primary time with us, so it was tremendous cool to get to know her after which see her carry out on court docket. After which in fact the atmosphere off court docket with the remainder of the women and the supporting workers, I believe that was most likely one among my favourite components of the yr.”
As for the title defence, Fernandez stated, “I’m excited to be right here representing Canada with them, with the women, and I do hope that we get the possibility to do effectively and defend our title. That’s our objective.”
Canada will kick off their bid for a second consecutive title on Sunday towards Nice Britain.
CLICK HERE for the whole lot it’s worthwhile to know concerning the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Viewers can watch Crew Canada’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals and Davis Cup Last 8 ties at no cost on CBC Gem, cbcsports.ca, the CBC Sports activities app, and CBC Sports activities’ official YouTube channel. The ties may even be out there in French, as TVA Sports activities and TVA Sports activities Direct will probably be displaying Canada’s matchups, in addition to all semifinals and finals.
