Tennis legend Billie Jean King highly praised the ongoing global growth of the competition named after her, as the Billie Jean King Cup Finals returned to Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in southern China, for the second time.
The 63rd women's team tournament registered a record number of countries and regions—148, compared to 146 in 2025. The tournament started with only 16 teams in 1963; this season saw the debut of countries such as Ivory Coast and Zambia.
King noted that this expansion testifies both to the development of the competition itself and to the broader growth of tennis. She emphasized that bringing together players and cultures from so many countries and regions remains particularly important to her.
The 82-year-old King also commended the development of tennis in China, pointing to the significance of successful athletes in encouraging more people to pick up a racket. As an example, she cited two-time Grand Slam champion Li Na, showing how a local star can contribute to increasing interest in the sport. King stated: 'When the best players appear in a country, they become more inspired, and then they try it themselves.'
King, who visited China for the first time in 2025, also gave positive feedback on Shenzhen and the organization of this year's Finals. The city is hosting the event for the second time; eight teams will participate in the playoffs at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center Arena from September 22 to 27. The Finals are planned to be held in this city again in 2027.
The 12-time Grand Slam singles champion reported that she was impressed by the spectators and local staff, while also noting the amount of work required to host a major international tennis event year-round.
King also highlighted the special value of representing one's country in team competitions. As a former player and captain from the United States, she said that competing with teammates creates a different kind of pressure than in the professional tour, and described representing her country as a privilege.
The American believes that international team tournaments, such as the Billie Jean King Cup and the Davis Cup, can bring people from different countries closer by introducing players and fans to various cultures. She concluded: 'At the core, as people, we have a lot in common.'
King also welcomed efforts to expand grassroots participation in sports in China, adding that greater involvement can bring long-term benefits to public health, especially among children.
The Billie Jean King Cup Finals feature seven teams that qualified in April, as well as the host country China. Each match consists of two singles matches followed by a doubles match; the country that wins the first two matches advances.