The decision to host the Finals in China is part of the Billie Jean King Cup’s broader goal, as a global competition, to increase its reach and elevate the profile of women’s tennis on a worldwide scale. The move also aligns with the tournament’s ambition to create moments of cultural exchange, celebrate differences, and build stronger connections between athletes and fans from diverse backgrounds.

Zheng Qinwen, Paris 2024 gold medallist and current world number five, said: “Having the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen is a dream come true for myself and other Chinese tennis players. It is an honor to welcome the world’s best players to our home country, where the passion for the sport is unmatched. This event reflects the incredible progress of tennis in China and highlights how women’s sports continue to thrive here. I can’t wait to see how it inspires more young girls to pick up a tennis racket and dream big.”

Ilana Kloss, chair of Billie Jean King Cup Limited, commented: “We are excited to bring the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and national team tennis to Shenzhen, a city with a rapidly growing tennis community and infrastructure. This bold move will enhance the visibility of women’s tennis and support our mission to promote gender equality and inspire the next generation of athletes. The rise of tennis in China has been phenomenal, with millions of new players and fans joining the sport. We are confident that this partnership will further elevate the Billie Jean King Cup.”

Active discussions continue with all stakeholders to determine the best possible timing for the Finals in Shenzhen. An update will be provided as soon as possible.

David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “China has seen a massive surge in tennis popularity, with over 20 million people playing the sport, making it the second-largest tennis-playing nation globally. The country’s investment in tennis infrastructure and talent development has led to significant achievements on the international stage, including Olympic triumphs and a growing presence in global rankings.”

A partnership with the China Tennis Association and a private investor, Beijing Guoti Intelligent Technology, has been set up to successfully deliver the respective events. Beijing Guoti Intelligent Technology has been involved in developing the sport of table tennis in China for many years, from grassroots initiatives and school programs to organizing competitions at various levels.

Shen Mengying, Managing Director, Guoti Intelligence Global, said: “The Billie Jean King Cup represents the pinnacle of women’s tennis, and we are proud to welcome this prestigious event to Shenzhen. We are excited to offer a world-class platform where athletes from around the world can showcase talent, inspire the next generation, and unite through the power of the sport. Together, we are embarking on a new chapter that will amplify the spirit of competition, empowerment, and inclusivity.”

Li Na, former Grand Slam Champion and former world number two, added: “It is incredibly exciting to see the Billie Jean King Cup Finals come to Shenzhen in 2025. Tennis has grown so much in China, and hosting this prestigious event showcases the talent we have developed over the years. This is more than just a tournament – it’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation of players and fans in an environment that celebrates the brilliance of women’s tennis on the world stage.” 

2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers Draw

The 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers draw will take place at 1530 GMT on January 23, with hosts China and current Champions Italy automatically qualifying for the Finals.

Ties will be played across six group events the week commencing April 7, consisting of three teams per group. Each three-day event will be held in one location and played on a round-robin basis.

The team finishing top of each Qualifiers group will advance to the Finals. Teams finishing in second and third positions will compete in the Play-offs in November.

The Qualifiers host nations will be Australia, Czechia, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, and Slovakia. Host nations were drawn at random from applications made by eligible nations.

There will be one seed in each Qualifiers group and seedings are based on the most recent Billie Jean King Cup Nations Rankings at the time of the draw. Seed 1 will be placed in Group A, Seed 2 into Group B, Seed 3 into Group C, Seed 4 into Group D, Seed 5 into Group E and Seed 6 into Group F. Seeds will take position 1 in each group.

The remaining nations will be ranked in order according to the most recent Billie Jean King Cup Nations rankings at the time of the draw. The highest ranked 50% of those nations will be placed in Pot 2 and drawn by lot to take position two in each group. The lowest ranked 50% will be placed in Pot 3 and drawn by lot to take position three in each group.

If any host nation is drawn into a Qualifiers group that already has a host nation drawn in it, that nation will be automatically placed in the next group that does not yet include a host nation.

Pot 1 (Seeded nations)

Canada (1)

Czechia (2)

Slovakia (3)

Australia (4)

Poland (5)

Great Britain (6)

Pot 2

Switzerland

USA

Spain

Germany

Kazakhstan

Romania

Pot 3

Japan

Netherlands

Ukraine

Brazil

Colombia

Denmark