Bengaluru to Host Historic Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs This November
For the first time in history, India will host the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs — with Bengaluru set as the venue for the Group G ties from November 14. The three-day, three-team showdown will take place at the recently renamed SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Cubbon Park, making it a milestone moment for Indian tennis.
India, placed in Group G, is grouped with seventh-seeded Netherlands and Slovenia, as per the draw conducted at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) headquarters on Thursday. This marks India’s second-ever appearance in the playoffs, the first being in 2021.
The Indian squad, led by non-playing captain Vishal Uppal, features Shrivalli Bhamidipaty (WR 322), Sahaja Yamalapalli (342), Ankita Raina (347), Vaidehi Chaudhari (368), and doubles expert Prarthana Thombre (145 in doubles). The team earned their playoff spot after a strong performance in the Asia-Oceania Zone in April, finishing just behind New Zealand.
India faces a challenging path — with Dutch stars Suzan Lamens (WR 70) and Arantxa Rus (WR 91), and Slovenia’s top player Veronica Erjavec (WR 172) standing in the way of progress.
The group winners from each of the seven host cities — including Monterrey (Mexico), Gorzow Wielkopolski (Poland), Cordoba (Argentina), Varazdin (Croatia), Hobart (Australia), and Ismaning (Germany) — will advance to the 2026 qualifiers. Remaining teams will compete in Group I next season.
To meet international standards, the Laykold courts — same surface as the US Open — at the SM Krishna Stadium will be resurfaced ahead of the event, confirmed Sunil Yajaman, joint secretary of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association.
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