Slovakia Advances To First Billie Jean King Cup Finals In 22 Years

Slovakia, Billie Jean King Cup
Rebecca Sramkova and Tereza Mihalikova (photo: Fran Santiago/Getty Images for ITF)

MALAGA/WASHINGTON, November 19, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

If underdog Slovakia possesses any kind of inferiority complex when it comes to international team competitions, it has buried it for good. On Tuesday afternoon in Malaga, the motivated Slovakians continued their domination of Grand Slam-hosting countries by defeating Great Britain 2-1 to advance to the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals championship round.

“For us, it’s always a big challenge to play those countries [Grand Slam-hosting nations],” said Victoria Hruncakova, who recovered from losing the opening match to Emma Raducanu, then teamed with Tereza Mihalikova to win the decisive point in doubles. “We have nothing to lose. That’s why I think we enjoy it so much.”

It’s worth noting that with its victory over the British, Slovakia have beaten three Grand Slam-hosting nations – the United States, Australia and, now, Great Britain – in consecutive ties inside a very loud Martín Carpena Arena.

Now, after advancing past Great Britain in its first Billie Jean King Cup semifinal since 2013, Slovakia have reached its first championship final since winning it all in 2002.

Mihalikova was asked to sum up her emotions upon securing the winning point, during her team’s post-tie news conference. “I think just realizing that we are into the finals,” she said. “I mean, we were happy after each round, but today we played for the finals. It’s obviously bigger.

“After our first singles, you know, we were a little bit further from it, but then Rebecca (Sramkova) gave us a chance. I was actually thinking about the emotions after we finish, how it would feel if we would be in the finals. It came true, so I was just very happy.”

In the tie’s opening match, Great Britain’s Emma Raducanu came ready to play and gave her team hope. By defeating the 238th-ranked Hruncakova, 6-4, 6-4, in an hour and 36 minutes, Raducanu put the British within a win of reaching their first Billie Jean King Cup final in more than 40 years.

“Every match is extremely challenging,” the 58th-ranked Raducanu said afterward. “I think as the tournament progresses, it’s more and more.”

Raducanu hit eight aces and 21 winners overall, won 76 percent of her first-serve points, converted four of five break points and outpointed Hruncakova 70-52.

“I think today was a really, really tough battle because my opponent has a huge ball strike, and I think despite her ranking she plays much above that. Especially on these courts, it really suits here. But I’m really pleased with how I once again composed myself and touched it out in both sets.”

In the second match, Slovakia fought back behind No. 43 Rebecca Sramkova, who remained undefeated (3-0) in Malaga after beating British No. 1 Katie Boulter, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4. After losing the opening set, she found her way back and finished with a flourish, breaking the 24th-ranked Boulter’s serve for the sixth time to close out the victory.

By the end of the two-hour, 11-minute tussle, there was absolute joy for Slovakia and disbelief on the faces of the British team.

“It was tough for me to play rallies,” Sramkova said during her on-court interview. “I was trying to push her more, but it was impossible in the first set. I’m happy I pushed more in the second and third sets. We got a point.”

Like Monday’s semifinal tie won by Italy over Poland, which came down to a decisive doubles rubber, the same would hold true for Slovakia and Great Britain.

“We are just enjoying every match,” Sramkova said of Slovakia’s surprising run. “We have nothing to lose. We are just trying to do our best.”

Needing to win the doubles point to reach their first championship round final since winning it all in 2002, Hruncakova and Mihalikova went to work and were never seriously threatened by Great Britain’s Olivia Nicholls and Heather Watson during the 73-minute decider. The Slovakian duo converted four break points and took advantage of 18 unforced errors. They outpointed the British pair 54-39.

“Absolutely special moment for our country, for our players, for tennis in Slovakia,” team captain Matej Liptak said during Slovakia’s post-tie news conference. “It’s so many years when we won it once only, and personally for me, I was so close to be in the final in one match already.

“But today it’s really real, and we are just one step from maybe the biggest victory of our team or team members. We will try to enjoy it tomorrow … We will try to enjoy also this moment now.”

Great Britain, which last advanced to the semifinal round in 2022, had reached the Billie Jean King Cup final on four occasions – 1967, 1971, 1972 and 1981. Still, they have never won it. Now, the British will have to wait at least until next year.

“You know I think we’re all absolutely gutted,” Great Britain’s team captain Anne Keothavong said afterward. “We came into this event really believing that we had a good shot at it, and you know, unfortunately we fell short.

“We came up against a better team.”

As for Slovakia, the better team on Tuesday, its dream run continues against Italy tomorrow.

“All my girls will be legends now,” Liptak said. “Even if they don’t finish it tomorrow, this is a really special moment for them and for our country. Everyone will know who was in this team. But we will try to go one more match.”

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