Billie Jean King hails global growth of namesake tennis competition

Tennis legend Billie Jean King, speaking to CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi, hailed the continued global growth of the competition that bears her name as the Billie Jean King Cup Finals returned to Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, for a second year.

A record 148 countries and regions entered the 63rd edition of the women's team competition, up from 146 in 2025. The tournament began with just 16 teams in 1963, while Côte d'Ivoire and Zambia were among the latest making their debuts this season.

King said the expansion reflects both the development of the competition and the wider growth of tennis, adding that bringing players and cultures from so many countries and regions together remains particularly important to her.

The 82-year-old also praised the development of tennis in China, highlighting the role successful players can have in encouraging more people to pick up a racket. She pointed to two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na as an example of how a homegrown star can help generate greater interest in the sport.

"When a country gets better players, they get more excited and then they go and try it," King said.

King, who first visited China in 2025, also spoke highly of Shenzhen and the organization of this year's Finals. The city is staging the event for the second time, with the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre Arena hosting eight teams in a knockout competition from September 22nd to 27th. The Finals are scheduled to return to the city again in 2027.

The 12-time Grand Slam singles champion said the crowds and local staff impressed her, while noting the amount of year-round work required to stage a major international tennis event.

King also stressed the special nature of representing one's country in team competition. A former United States player and captain, she said competing alongside teammates brings a different type of pressure from the professional tour while describing the opportunity to represent one's country as a privilege.

The American believes international team competitions like the Billie Jean King Cup and men's Davis Cup can also bring people from different countries closer together by exposing players and fans to different cultures.

"When it gets right down to it as human beings, we have a lot in common with each other," she said.

King also welcomed efforts to expand participation in sports at the grassroots level in China, adding that greater involvement can have long-term benefits for public health, particularly among children.

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals feature seven teams who qualified in April, alongside tournament host China. Each tie consists of two singles matches followed by a doubles rubber, with the first nation to record two victories advancing.