BJK Cup: Austria faces a tough road to the play-off

BJK-Cup

A busy week awaits Austria’s tennis players in the Billie Jean King Cup. After relegation to Europe-Africa Zone I, the ÖTV team has to play five international matches from April 8th to 13th in Oeiras in Portugal. “Our minimum goal is to stay in the league, but of course we will do everything we can to achieve more than that,” emphasized captain Marion Maruska, who can rely on the strongest possible team and is hoping for the play-offs.

11.03.2024 16.12

Online since today, 4:12 p.m

After last year’s 0:4 in the USA and the narrow 2:3 against Mexico in Schwechat, the ÖTV women were relegated from the world group. This means that Austria will have to compete in the lower class again, as it did from 2009 to 2022. In addition to Grabher, Sinja Kraus, Tamira Paszek, 18-year-old Tamara Kostic and Melanie Klaffner will be there in Oeiras near Lisbon.

“I am very happy that all the players have agreed and that we can travel to Portugal with such a strong team,” said Maruska. She was particularly pleased about the return of Julia Grabher, who announced her comeback at the WTA Challenger in Antalya from March 25th after her wrist operation last year.

“Julia is always a reinforcement for us. It’s great when she plays and I’m happy that she’s in the team after her long break and will compete for Austria,” said Maruska. It remains to be seen how often Grabher can be used.

Duels with Sakkari and Ostapenko possible

After the three games in one of the three groups of four, the game continues in four groups of three. The top three have already secured promotion to the play-offs for the qualifying round for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals 2025, while the three runners-up have secured another ticket. Maruska is aware of how difficult it is to emerge from the Euro-Africa zone.

The possible opponents could include top stars such as Maria Sakkari (GRE) or the Latvian Linz winner Jelena Ostapenko (WTA 10th). “After we were in the play-offs recently, it is of course our big goal to get there again,” said Maruska. She believes that this is also possible if the draw is good and the form is strong.