Billie Jean King Cup blow for USA: Pegula, Collins and Kessler withdraw ahead of crucial ties
WTA
A massive blow has hit the United States' Billie Jean King Cup squad as Jessica Pegula headlines a wave of withdrawals, causing major changes in the team ahead of their matches against Slovakia and Denmark. Danielle Collins (No. 32) and McCartney Kessler (No. 43) are the other significant absentees for the Americans.
The USTA was forced to name three replacements for a squad that now lacks any players inside the top-50 to compete in the BJK Cup qualifying stage. In fact, none of the top 10 ranked American women will be part of the team this time. The highest-ranked player in the line-up is now Alycia Parks (No. 53).
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The USA continues to lead the WTA rankings with depth, boasting 10 players in the top 50, including four in the top 16. It was already known that stars such as Coco Gauff (No. 3), Madison Keys (No. 5), Emma Navarro (No. 11) and Amanda Anisimova (No. 16) would not participate.
With Pegula, Collins and Kessler originally on the roster, Team USA appeared well-equipped to contest the crucial singles ties in this round-robin format, where three countries compete per group for qualification spots in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
However, in a shocking development, team captain Lindsay Davenport confirmed today that all three singles players have officially withdrawn. In their place, the USTA announced that Alycia Parks, Bernarda Pera, and Hailey Baptiste will join the team. The doubles pair of Asia Muhammad and Desirae Krawczyk remains unchanged.
USA is placed in Group C, alongside host nation Slovakia — featuring Rebecca Sramkova (No. 37) and Viktoria Hruncakova (No. 261) — and Denmark, led by Clara Tauson (No. 21) and Johanne Svendsen (No. 699).
USA Billie Jean King Cup Line-Up:
• Alycia Parks (No. 53)
• Bernarda Pera (No. 76)
• Hailey Baptiste (No. 86)
• Asia Muhammad (Doubles No. 8)
• Desirae Krawczyk (Doubles No. 13)
Welcoming Alycia Parks, Bernarda Pera and Hailey Baptiste to the American team! 🇺🇸
— USTA (@usta) April 9, 2025
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mandoist10-04-2025 - Sort of ironic -- and deserving -- the BJK Cup is being passed over by top players due to hectic (ridiculous) scheduling. Ironic because BJK herself has avoided supporting the players in any of the legitimate issues they have been bringing to WTA with little-to-no success.mandoist10-04-2025
