BANJA LUKA/STARNBERG, April 11, 2026

Austria’s women’s national team has suffered a disappointing relegation in the Billie Jean King Cup, dropping to the Europe/Africa Group III after finishing last in Group A at the competition in Banja Luka.

Just three years ago, Austria had been competing in the United States for a place among the world’s top 12 nations at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. In 2027, however, they will have to start from the bottom again. With several top Austrian players unavailable due to their participation at the concurrent WTA 500 home event in Linz, the team arrived significantly weakened—and ultimately fell short of its goal to remain in the group.

Austria’s fate was sealed following a series of narrow defeats. On Thursday, they lost 1-2 to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and on Friday, results elsewhere went against them. The hosts missed three match points in a decisive doubles loss to Cyprus (6-2, 6-7(8), 10-12), a result that eliminated Austria’s chances of avoiding last place in the group.

With one win and three losses, the team finished fifth in Group A, confirming relegation to the lowest tier of the competition. Had Bosnia and Herzegovina won that tie, Austria would have tied Cyprus in the standings and advanced to a relegation playoff against Morocco. Instead, they are now left to play for ninth place.

On Saturday, Austria will face North Macedonia in a placement match, aiming to end the week on a positive note. The young squad features Ekaterina Perelygina, Claudia Gasparovic, Mavie Österreicher, and Leonie Rabl.

“This is of course very bitter,” said captain Marion Maruska. “It’s disappointing that we were relegated straight away and won’t even get the chance to fight against Morocco to stay up. The other group was clearly weaker. Still, we will give everything against North Macedonia to finish the week on a positive note.”