Billie Jean King Cup: Olivia Gadecki to lead Australian squad

Team captain Sam Stosur has made two big selection calls as Australia prepares for the Billie Jean King Cup finals in Spain.

Freshly minted Australian No.1 Olivia Gadecki will lead Australia’s push for its first Billie Jean King Cup title in 50 years in a reduced squad for November’s finals.

The 22-year-old Queenslander will be joined by Daria Saville, Ajla Tomljanovic and Ellen Perez in Malaga, Spain, after veteran Arina Rodionova was squeezed out of the team.

Gadecki moved to a career-high ranking of 88 after she fought through to a maiden WTA singles final at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico on Monday.

She fell just short of becoming the first Australian since Ash Barty to win a WTA title in a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 loss to Poland’s Magdalena Frech.

“Being in the top 100 has been a massive goal of mine and to reach it after a strong run this week is incredible,” Gadecki said.

Australian 22-year-old Olivia Gadecki reached the final of the Guadalajara Open in Mexico on Sunday. Picture: Ulises Ruiz / AFP

“It means so much to be selected to represent Australia again. I’m looking forward to spending time with the girls and being out there as a team.

“Most importantly, I’m looking forward to being back playing solid tennis and leaving it all out on the court – I think we can really do some damage.”

Australian team captain Sam Stosur said the squad knew “what it takes” to be successful in the Billie Jean King Cup after finishing runner-up in 2019 and 2022.

Australia has lifted the cup (formerly the Federation Cup) seven times but not since Evonne Goolagong led the squad to back-to-back titles in 1973-74.

“We’ve been in the mix at the top of the Billie Jean King Cup in recent years. After reaching the final in 2019 and 2022, we know what it takes, and we want to get back there and push for that next step,” Stosur said.

Taylah Preston (centre top) and Arina Rodionova (bottom right) were left out of the updated Billie Jean King Cup squad named by captain Sam Stosur (left). Picture: Chris Hyde / Getty Images

“Our team has a solid mix of experience and emerging talent. Olivia making her top-100 debut and Ellen as world No.10 in doubles puts us in great stead. We’re ready to play our best tennis and do Australia proud.”

World No.122 Tomljanovic was preferred to the 34-year-old Rodionova, who was ranked seven places higher but spent years on the outer before returning to the squad in April against Mexico.

Rodionova’s relationship with Tennis Australia has been troubled, and she hit out at the governing body after being denied a wildcard for the Australian Open in January.

Emerging West Australian 18-year-old Taylah Preston was also left out after she won her singles rubber against Mexico.

Saville and Perez will form Australia’s likely doubles combination as former doubles world No.1 Storm Hunter continues to recover from the achilles injury she suffered in April.

Originally published as Billie Jean King Cup: Olivia Gadecki to lead Australian squad