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ORLANDO, Fla., June 26, 2023 – The USTA at this time introduced that Kathy Rinaldi will step down as U.S. Billie Jean King Cup captain following the 2023 Finals. Rinaldi will stay in her place as USTA Participant Improvement’s Head of Girls’s Tennis and can proceed main Participant Improvement’s efforts to determine and develop present and future generations of American girls’s champions. The seek for the following captain will start instantly.
Rinaldi was appointed captain of the U.S. staff in December 2016 and led the U.S. to its document thirty second Billie Jean King Cup title in 2017, the primary U.S. captain since 1986 to win the title of their first 12 months. Moreover, the U.S. staff beneath Rinaldi reached the ultimate in 2018, the semifinals in 2021 and up to now has produced an 11-5 document in ties.
The U.S. defeated Austria in April’s Qualifiers to advance to this 12 months’s Finals, held November 7-12 in Seville, Spain. The U.S. will compete in Group A alongside defending champion Switzerland and the Czech Republic in hopes of advancing to the knockout semifinals and past.
Kathy Rinaldi, U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Captain and Head of Girls’s Tennis, USTA:
“Having the distinct function of being named Captain of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Group was one of many biggest honors of my life. It has been an unimaginable trip for six-plus years! I actually hope I made Billie Jean proud. I’ve a lot love and admiration for her and for her iconic affect on girls in sports activities, and for the affect she and Ilana proceed to have on my life.
“In the beginning, I wish to personally thank each American participant for at all times saying sure once they acquired my name to play, and elevating their hand to characterize America. They represented the USA with coronary heart and sophistication! We at all times left all of it on the court docket whereas having loads of enjoyable, too. Thanks, gamers, for the chance to be your Captain, and sharing the bench with you! I would like each American participant to know the way a lot they’ve impacted my life in such a constructive approach. I’ll treasure every of you and the reminiscences we made collectively endlessly!
“I additionally wish to say thanks to all of the followers to your assist of our staff! We felt your love, and it certain was an honor to battle in entrance of you, understanding that you simply have been at all times behind us it doesn’t matter what. We heard you!
“Thanks to my unimaginable USTA Group & Household, the Coaches, the Efficiency Group and the employees to your assist, love and friendships, and for sure your dedication and tireless arduous work. You encourage me each day!
“Final however actually not least, I wish to thank my devoted husband and son for his or her continued love and assist of me, my profession and my ardour for tennis. I couldn’t do that with out you!
“Though I’m stepping down as Captain, I’m extraordinarily excited to proceed dedicating my effort and time towards supporting our American gamers because the USTA’s Head of Girls’s Tennis. I’m additionally excited to see what’s subsequent in my journey to affect this most wonderful sport on a broader scale. Let’s go, USA!”
Stacey Allaster, Chief Government, Skilled Tennis, USTA:
“Kathy has been an unimaginable captain and an inclusive chief on and off the court docket for our gamers. Her delight and keenness to guide the American staff was unwavering, and the athletes beloved to play for her. We have now been lucky to have such a champion lead the Billie Jean King Cup Group and are equally if no more lucky that Kathy will proceed in her function as Head of Girls’s Tennis to educate, assist and encourage at this time’s gamers and our future Billie Jean King Cup staff members.”
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