Meet the GB team going for maiden Billie Jean King Cup title

Great Britain will field Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal, Jodie Burrage and late addition Francesca Jones as they bid to win a first Billie Jean King Cup when they meet Japan in a quarter-final tie in Shenzhen on Thursday, Sept. 18.

The eight-nation Finals begin this week, with defending champions Italy opening against China on Tuesday. Britain, who reached the semi-finals last year, will aim to improve on that run and seek the nation’s first title in the competition, having made the last four on four previous occasions but never lifted the trophy.

Katie Boulter, 29, brings experience to Anne Keothavong’s side. Appearing in her seventh BJK Cup campaign, Boulter is ranked around the world’s top 50 and remains a key performer for Britain in both singles and doubles. She won a singles match against Germany in April’s qualifying event, then combined with Jodie Burrage to win the decisive doubles that secured Britain’s place in the Finals. Boulter’s 2025 season has been mixed: a foot injury forced her to miss early events, but she won a maiden clay title at a WTA 125 event in Paris. She recorded a notable fourth career top-10 victory over Paula Badosa at Wimbledon but did not progress beyond the second round at any Grand Slam this year and relinquished a two-year reign as British number one to Emma Raducanu earlier in the season. Boulter has frequently cited her enjoyment of representing her country in team events.

Sonay Kartal, 23, arrives in Shenzhen having established herself among Britain’s leading players after a breakthrough period on the tour. Kartal rose into the world’s top 50 following a second-round appearance at the French Open and reached the fourth round at Wimbledon. She was unbeaten in the qualifying rounds for the BJK Cup earlier this year, winning both her singles rubbers to help Britain reach the Finals. Kartal’s movement and recent form have made her one of the team’s most promising singles options.

Jodie Burrage, 26, has been a persistent presence in Britain’s squads and secured her first national victory in the 2025 qualifying campaign when partnering Boulter to clinch the decisive doubles. A front-footed player by style, Burrage’s career has been interrupted by injuries, including a wrist problem that sidelined her for six months last year, but she returned to record a first Australian Open match win this season and made her French Open debut. Burrage and Kartal reached the second round of the Wimbledon women’s doubles together, a pairing that could be considered again in Shenzhen.

Francesca Jones, 24, was a late call-up after Emma Raducanu withdrew earlier this month. Jones has enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning two WTA 125 titles in Contrexeville and Palermo and breaking into the world’s top 100 for the first time. She also qualified for her first WTA 1000 main draw in Madrid and came through three rounds of qualifying to make her maiden US Open main-draw appearance, where she lost to Germany’s Eva Lys in the first round. Jones, noted for her competitive mentality, will celebrate her 25th birthday the day after Britain’s quarter-final tie against Japan.

Captain Anne Keothavong has chosen a blend of experience and rising talent for the one-week Finals. The tie in Shenzhen is scheduled for live coverage on BBC iPlayer in the UK, with live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. The winners of the quarter-finals will advance to the semi-finals as the competition progresses toward the title.

Great Britain’s selection reflects recent form and availability: Boulter’s experience and doubles pedigree, Kartal’s rapid ascent and unbeaten BJK Cup record, Burrage’s resilience and doubles capability, and Jones’s momentum on the WTA 125 circuit after breaking into the top 100. The team faces Japan in a single-day tie that could determine whether Britain returns to the latter stages of the tournament for a second consecutive year.