Canada turned the thirteenth completely different nation to win the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge after capping an ideal week in Seville with victory over Italy in Sunday’s ultimate at Estadio de La Cartuja.
Teenager Marina Stakusic overcame Martina Trevisan 7-5 6-3 within the opening singles match earlier than Leylah Fernandez beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-3 to spark scenes of jubilation amongst Canada’s gamers, employees and supporters.
Captain Heidi El Tabakh and her gamers – Fernandez, Stakusic, Rebecca Marino, Eugenie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski – have been introduced with the well-known Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge trophy by David Haggerty (ITF President) and Billie Jean King herself to a rapturous reception on centre court docket.
In addition they acquired an unprecedented $2.4 million winners’ cheque which was introduced by Dan Towriss, CEO and President of Group 1001, the mother or father firm of Gainbridge. Because of the title sponsor’s partnership and assist, the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals provided a document whole Participant Prize Cash (PPM) purse of $9.6 million – equal to the whole on supply to male gamers within the Davis Cup Finals.
For the second consecutive yr, the brand new champions have been introduced with a particular version Billie Blue jacket every, designed by event official attire companion, Tory Burch.
The design, unveiled earlier than final yr’s ultimate in Glasgow, makes use of the long-lasting “Billie Blue” that Billie Jean King wore memorably all through her profession, together with in her well-known Battle of the Sexes match.
Canada had topped Group C after beating Poland and hosts Spain 3-0 earlier within the week, earlier than battling to a 2-1 win over eleven-time event winners Czechia in Friday’s semi-final.
With right now’s victory, Canada have change into the second new title winner in two years following Switzerland’s first-time triumph in Glasgow 12 months in the past.
Each Canada’s girls’s and males’s groups are present World Champions, with Frank Dancevic’s staff set to defend their Davis Cup title on the Last 8 in Malaga from 21 to 26 November.
Heidi El Tabakh mentioned: “This staff, these ladies are unimaginable. I’m simply so blissful, I’m blissful for the staff and blissful for everybody concerned. It’s been an unimaginable week and to complete it off by profitable the Billie Jean King Cup – this can be a dream come true.”
Billie Jean King mentioned: “Congratulations to Canada for capturing their first Billie Jean King Cup title. They performed some unimaginable tennis this week and are deserving World Champions, and it was an incredible honour to current them with the trophy. Italy have additionally been implausible this week, though they’ve simply come up brief right now. It has been a particular week right here in Seville, and I thank all of the gamers, followers and employees who’ve made it so inspirational. I’m already excited for 2024!”
David Haggerty, ITF President, mentioned: “In the present day has been the proper method to finish a beautiful week in Seville. I’d wish to congratulate Canada on their well-deserved title win and my commiserations go to Italy. Like each participant who’s taken half this week, they’ve accomplished their nations proud. I’d additionally wish to thank the Area of Andalucia for his or her assist all through this occasion, our title sponsor Gainbridge for serving to to make this yr’s document stage of prize cash potential, and Microsoft, Magellan, Tory Burch, Iberdrola and Franklin Templeton for his or her ongoing assist of this occasion. 2024 goes to be a really thrilling yr as we proceed to construct on the current development of the ladies’s World Cup of Tennis.”
Dan Towriss, CEO and President of Group 1001, the mother or father firm of Gainbridge, mentioned: “This has been one other implausible yr of the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge. The town, the venue, the tennis, the followers – it was an unimaginable week in Seville. Sharing the stage with Group Canada and Billie Jean King and awarding equal prize cash to what the boys obtain at this yr’s Davis Cup Finals is a superb conclusion to Parity Week, our celebration of girls’s sports activities and a motion began by Billie Jean herself.”
Each the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals and Junior Finals happened in Andalucia as a part of a wider settlement between the ITF and the Area of Andalucia, which will even see the Davis Cup Last 8 happen in Malaga (21-26 November). The Junior Davis Cup additionally happened in Córdoba final week, with Czechia clinching the title, whereas USA received the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Juniors title.
