Ibagué, Colombia – Former doubles world No. 1 Paola Suárez has officially named her first squad as captain of the Argentina Billie Jean King Cup team, setting the stage for their Group Americas I campaign from April 8-11. The team, representing Argentina in the crucial qualifying tournament, will feature Julia Riera, Luisina Giovannini, Martina Capurro Taborda, Nicole Fossa Huergo, and Carla Markus, all vying for a spot in the 2026 Play-offs.
The announcement, made earlier this week, marks a new chapter for Argentine women’s tennis. Suárez, who took the helm after Mercedes Paz’s departure, has selected a blend of experienced players and rising stars for the competition held at the Parque de Raquetas in Ibagué.
Riera and Giovannini, both mainstays in recent Argentine team selections, will provide a core of experience. Capurro Taborda returns to the squad after a year’s absence, bringing valuable singles experience. The team also welcomes two newcomers: Nicole Fossa Huergo and Carla Markus, who will be making their Billie Jean King Cup debuts.
Fossa Huergo’s story is particularly noteworthy. Born in Italy 30 years ago to Rosarian parents, she recently opted to represent Argentina, her family’s country of origin. Currently ranked 104th in the world in doubles, Fossa Huergo is the highest-ranked Argentine doubles player. She previously represented Italy in team competitions, including the United Cup in Australia, and was a champion in the Interclubes de la Asociación Argentina de Tenis with Ferro Carril Oeste alongside Giovannini. She recently secured a doubles title at the WTA 125 event in Antalya, France, partnering with Estelle Cascino.
Markus, at 19 years old, will be the youngest member of the Argentine team. Ranked 479th, the left-handed player is the daughter of former Argentine tennis star Gabriel Markus, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 36 in 1992. Markus has shown promising form, reaching the semifinals of a W50 tournament in Ibagué last year and qualifying for WTA 125 events in Cali and Tucumán, where she also advanced to the second round with a win over Brazil’s Laura Pigossi.
Julia Riera, currently ranked 192nd, is a seasoned competitor for Argentina, having earned eight caps since her debut in 2022. She boasts a strong singles record with 17 wins and only two losses in Billie Jean King Cup play. Riera was a key performer in Argentina’s recent series in Córdoba, securing victories over Viktoria Hruncakova of Slovakia and Suzan Bandecchi of Switzerland. She has also reached the main draws of three Grand Slam tournaments: Roland Garros, the Australian Open, and Wimbledon.
Luisina Giovannini, ranked 227th, will be the second-highest ranked singles player on the team. The 19-year-old from Coronel Moldes has been steadily building her career with strong results on the ITF circuit, accumulating ten titles, five of which were earned in 2025. She also made her Grand Slam debut this year, competing in the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open. Giovannini has three previous Billie Jean King Cup appearances, all in doubles, where she holds a 4-2 record.
Martina Capurro Taborda makes a welcome return to the team after a year’s absence. The left-handed player from Avellaneda previously represented Argentina between 2023 and 2024, posting a 6-2 record in singles. She achieved a career-high ranking of 149th in 2024, fueled by a string of strong performances that included five consecutive ITF titles. She finished 2025 strongly, adding four more trophies, including the W35 Neuquén title in November.
Argentina (ranked 24th) will compete in Zone A alongside Brazil (20th), Chile (29th), and Peru (39th). Zone B will feature Mexico (22nd), Colombia (25th), Venezuela (37th), and Ecuador (49th). The top two teams from each zone will advance to an interzonal playoff (1A vs. 2B and 2A vs. 1B) to compete for a place in the Play-offs in November. The third and fourth-placed teams will battle to avoid relegation to Group II of the Americas Zone.
Suárez, who amassed 14 wins and five losses in her previous Fed Cup appearances, faces a significant challenge in revitalizing the Argentine team. Her appointment signals a commitment to developing young talent and restoring Argentina’s competitive edge in the Billie Jean King Cup.
The Billie Jean King Cup Group Americas I tournament in Ibagué promises to be a thrilling competition, with Argentina aiming to secure a coveted spot in the Play-offs. Fans can follow the team’s progress throughout the tournament as they strive to represent Argentina on the international stage.
Argentina’s next confirmed action is the start of the Billie Jean King Cup Group Americas I tournament on April 8th in Ibagué, Colombia. Stay tuned to Archysport for updates and coverage throughout the competition.
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