today 08:31
|
Slovak tennis players will present themselves at the final tournament of the Billie Jean King Cup this year as well. The captains of Captain Matej Lipták were to take part in the qualification against the selection of Australia on April 15-16, 2022. But in the end, they don’t have to travel to Brisbane.
After the suspension of the Russian Tennis Federation from ITF membership, it will be replaced directly at the final tournament by Australia, Renkin’s highest-ranked team among last year’s semi-finalists.
Slovakia thus lost an opponent in the qualification and, thanks to a free draw, they will also present themselves directly at the final tournament. The official website of the Slovak Tennis Association informed about it.
Captain Matej Lipták was surprised by the information about Slovakia’s direct progress to the final tournament. “I’ve already had everything planned and argued about the qualifying duel in Brisbane. The whole situation that gave rise to it is very sad. Russian tennis players certainly can’t blame it, but the circumstances are critical and terrible.” he told stz.sk about the suspension of Russia.
“It’s very lucky for the Slovak team. It’s very nice that we can participate in the final tournament again, even in such circumstances. We were probably most pleased that we don’t have to fly that far to meet,” added a long-term Slovak captain.
The Board of Trustees of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) also confirmed the suspension of the Belarusian team, which was to qualify against Belgium. Australia, Slovakia and Belgium will join last year’s defeated finalist Switzerland and will present themselves directly at the final tournament, which will be announced soon.
At the final tournament, they will be joined by the winning countries from the remaining seven April qualifying matches and the host country’s national team.
–
