The Billie Jean King Cup is just around the corner, and you can feel the anticipation buzzing! Players and fans alike are gearing up for this prestigious showdown, set to kick off on November 13. But while the world will be watching some of the best women’s tennis teams clash for glory, all eyes are especially on Team USA. They’ve got a rich history in the competition, but recent years haven’t brought them the success they’re used to. Enter Lindsay Davenport, the legendary champion stepping up as the new captain and Team USA seems to be back with a renewed sense of confidence and energy.

The former American tennis sensation engaged in an interaction with the Press ahead of the tournament and deliberated on a wide range of factors including the planning and preparation of the team for the Billie Jean King Cup. When quizzed whether Team USA has arrived in Spain like a “hurt animal” to win the title once again, Davenport let her true emotions out. 

Speaking in the interview, the 48-year-old said, “I was telling the ladies that the U.S. has won it one time since 2000, and that’s not really good enough for our country and the standard of our play, and we’re obviously here to win it again (smiling).” Continuing further, she expressed confidence in her team and highlighted their abilities and desires to return home with a title. “I’m so fortunate right now with having so many amazing players from the United States. We have the ability to win, and all these players sitting up here know that.” 

Remember, Davenport took charge as the team’s captain only this year and replaced Kathy Rinaldi. While she has a huge responsibility to fulfill, the 48-year-old seems to be motivated especially because of her love for the tournament. “It has meant an incredible amount to me throughout my life, and all the players up here are very excited and happy to be here representing their country. We came here to be playing next Thursday night in the final, and that’s what we are looking forward to,” Lindsay Davenport further added. Interestingly, Team USA is one of the most successful teams in the tournament but that has not been depicted by their performance lately. 

For the unversed, the USA has emerged victorious in the tournament 18 times so far and will be competing for their 19th title. The team’s most recent victory came in 2017, before which it won in 2000. Last year too, they fell short in Seville and failed to emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Davenport’s remarks of confidence in her team come at a time when the American stars have witnessed a comparatively tougher season. 

Interestingly, not a single American WTA player emerged victorious in any of the four Grand Slams throughout the year, and only one player, qualified for the finals of the Grand Slams when Jessica Pegula took on Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open Finals. In the Paris Olympics too, the American stars were devoid of a medal in the women’s singles category. But despite this, Davenport remains confident of her team and their relentless determination. This, however, is not the first time when Davenport has reflected on her team’s skills and has lauded them after they qualified for the tournament finals in April. 

“These ladies were amazing,” When Lindsay Davenport lauded her team’s grit

Lindsay Davenport seems to have set up some big goals for herself as the captain of Team USA in the Billie Jean King Cup. The major reason that she attributes to this motivation is her team’s performance, especially in the qualifiers which were held in April, which Davenport believes to be a perfect mix of everything she wanted from her players. 

Speaking about her team, Davenport earlier said, “These ladies were amazing. Everything I wanted in terms of teamwork, being together, a lot of funny stuff. It was really great. To see them battle through conditions that weren’t perfect for either of my players was impressive. It was fun spending time with these ladies, getting to know them. I was really pleased with how this first week went.” However, Davenport is not taking her role any less seriously as she highlighted the responsibilities she needs to fulfill.

“She (Kathy Rinaldi) has done a remarkable job and I look forward to the US hopefully winning it this year,” she shared. For now, it would be interesting to see if Team USA can fulfill the expectations of their captain and fans alike to lift the title after a long break.