Poland is gearing up for their opening encounter against hosts Spain at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals with a significant boost from the presence of Iga Swiatek. This marks a change from the previous two years, where Poland finished at the bottom of their group without their star player. Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, is making her debut in this revamped knockout tournament, providing hope for Poland's quest for their first title in the team event.
Despite her stellar season, Swiatek has faced challenges in maintaining top form since her fourth French Open triumph earlier this year. Her performance at the WTA Finals was underwhelming as she failed to advance beyond the group stage, despite winning two out of three round-robin matches. However, after taking a break from several tournaments in recent months, Swiatek enters the Billie Jean King Cup relatively well-rested and focused.
Swiatek expressed her excitement about finally being part of the Polish team, noting the difficulties of aligning her schedule with the event in past years. She stated her eagerness to contribute to the team’s efforts in Malaga, aiming to deliver solid performances and remain in the competition as long as possible. Alongside Swiatek, Poland's squad includes Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette, making their top three players the highest-ranked trio in the tournament, adding to their potential as serious contenders.
However, Poland's opening challenge against Spain will not be easy, with Swiatek expected to face former world No. 2 Paula Badosa. Last year, an understrength Polish team was defeated by Spain in a group stage match after both teams had already lost to eventual champions Canada. This time around, Polish captain Dawid Celt is optimistic about a different outcome, expressing confidence in his team's ability to seek revenge and deliver a strong performance against the hosts.
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