Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong has expressed her disappointment at Emma Raducanu`s absence from the Billie Jean King Cup but acknowledges the British No. 2`s decision to withdraw.
Keothavong`s team is set to compete against Germany on Friday and then against the Netherlands on Saturday, aiming for a spot in the Finals. However, they will be without Raducanu, who was instrumental in Britain`s journey to the semi-finals in Malaga the previous year.
Raducanu`s team cited the need to prioritize her physical well-being as the primary reason for her withdrawal.
Keothavong mentioned to The Guardian her disappointment, stating, “Naturally disappointed, but I understand her perspective. She invested significantly in this team last year and played a crucial role in our success. We have five highly motivated players here, eager to compete and well-prepared. I am optimistic about Emma`s future involvement with the team.”
Despite Raducanu`s withdrawal, Keothavong remains confident in Britain`s chances of advancing, with Jodie Burrage stepping in as Raducanu`s replacement. The squad also includes British No. 1 Katie Boulter, world No. 61 Sonay Kartal, Harriet Dart, and Olivia Nicholls, forming a strong lineup.
Keothavong commented on the growth of women`s tennis in Britain, saying, “The positive side is having a wide selection of players, although it presents challenging decisions for me. It`s preferable to have a pool of talented players to choose from and depend on.”
The team is preparing for a challenging match against Rainer Schuttler`s Germany team on Friday.
Raducanu, despite not achieving major breakthroughs since her 2021 US Open victory, reached the quarter-finals of the Miami Open, marking her best performance at a WTA 1000 event.
In her quarter-final match, Raducanu competed closely with eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula, ultimately losing in three sets.
Currently, Raducanu is utilizing this time for a training period, coinciding with her absence from The Hague.
