Former Indian tennis star Sania Mirza has extended her support to the national women’s team ahead of the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup Asia/Oceania Group I, urging players to compete with pride and give their “100 per cent” on the court. The tournament is scheduled to take place at the DLTA Stadium from April 7 to 11, with India hosting the prestigious regional event.
In a message shared ahead of the competition, Mirza encouraged the squad to embrace the honour of representing the country on an international stage. She highlighted the significance of the tournament, often regarded as the World Cup of women’s tennis, and expressed confidence in the team’s ability to deliver strong performances under pressure.
The Indian contingent for the tournament includes Ankita Raina, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Vaishnavi Adkar, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, Rutuja Bhosale, and Vaidehee Chaudhari. The team will look to capitalise on home advantage as they compete against some of the top sides from the region.
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The tournament will feature six nations, including India, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, and Thailand. The competition will follow a round-robin format, with each team facing the others over five days, making consistency and endurance key factors in determining the final standings.
India enters the event with positive momentum, having performed strongly in the previous edition of the Asia/Oceania Group I qualifiers. The team secured notable 2-1 victories against opponents such as Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea, showcasing their growing competitiveness on the international stage.
The top two teams from the tournament will qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs scheduled for November 2026, keeping alive their hopes of advancing toward the elite World Group. With home support and recent form in their favour, the Indian team will aim to deliver a strong campaign and take a decisive step forward in global women’s tennis.
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