The United States earned their place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals after defeating Austria in The Palm Beaches. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission partnered with the United States Tennis Association to host the matches from April 14-15 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.
DELRAY BEACH, FL – APRIL 11: Danielle Collins of the USA during practice ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier between the USA and Austria on April 11, 2023 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Manuela Davies/USTA)
This Billie Jean King Cup Tie was a best-of-five match series with two singles matches on Friday, April 14 and two reverse singles matches and a doubles match on Saturday, April 15. The Billie Jean King Cup, which was formerly known as the Federation Cup, was rebranded in 2020 to align with Billie Jean King, a global icon in sports – who also dedicated her life to fighting against social injustice. The Billie Jean King Cup team is no stranger to Palm Beach County, having played at the Delray Beach Tennis Center three times – 2005, 2007 and 2013.
DELRAY BEACH, FL – APRIL 15: Jessica Pegula of the USA during the match against Julia Grabher of Austria in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier tie between the USA and Austria at the Delray Beach Tennis Center on April 15, 2023 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Manuela Davies/USTA)
Palm Beach County native, Coco Gauff, anchored Team USA in the Billie Jean King Cup. Gauff made her Billie Jean King Cup debut last fall in the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals in Glasgow, Scotland, against Poland and the Czech Republic, but this was her first official action on U.S. soil. Gauff won a singles match and doubles match with partner Caty McNally to lift the Americans into the final as they seek the USA’s 19th Billie Jean King Cup title. Boca Raton’s Jessica Pegula also starred for Team USA with back-to-back wins over Sinja Kraus and Julia Grabher.
DELRAY BEACH, FL – APRIL 15: Andrea Snead, USTA Diversity and Inclusion Director, interviews members of the Gay Polo League during the USTA Diversity and Inclusion LGBTQ Luncheon ahead of the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier between the USA and Austria at the Delray Beach Golf Club on April 15, 2023 in Delray Beach, Florida. (Photo by Manuela Davies/USTA)
In addition to the matches, the week featured the Women’s Leadership Luncheon with Billie Jean King and the All In For Inclusion Brunch. The All In For Inclusion Brunch took place on Saturday and included a guest panel featuring the Gay Polo League’s Chip McKenney and Gus LaRossa.
The Billie Jean King Cup was televised live on the Tennis Channel and created significant tourism benefits for The Palm Beaches. With tennis participation rising significantly in the United States, the tie was also a boon to the local economy. The Palm Beach County Sports Commission projects an economic impact similar to last year’s qualifying event, held in Asheville, N.C., which generated $8 million for the local economy while substantially increasing hotel occupancy levels and bed tax revenues.
