With just a few days left before curtains are drawn on a thrilling 2024 season, top women players will head to Spain to play in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Among them will be Emma Raducanu, who will be making a comeback of sorts. The former US Open champion last played in the Korea Open where she withdrew midway through the tournament due to an injury. However, with Raducanu fully fit now, she would be rearing to go in the tournament. Further, Raducanu enters the Billie Jean King Cup after celebrating a special occasion and receiving a heartwarming surprise from American tennis legend, Billie Jean King.

Raducanu turned 22 today and celebrated her birthday in Malaga with her teammates. Moreover, she received numerous birthday wishes on social media from the tennis community. Even tennis legend Billie Jean King joined the party and wished Raducanu with a heartfelt note.

Taking to her official X handle, Billie Jean King wrote, “Wishing a very happy birthday to the 2021 @usopen women’s singles champion, and member of Great Britain’s @BJKCup Finals team @EmmaRaducanu!” Additionally, she also shared a wonderful picture with Raducanu from the tournament while wishing her on her 22nd birthday.

Meanwhile, Raducanu is excited to be a part of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. She will spearhead her country’s charge in the tournament and would look to give it her all in the multi-nation event. Ahead of the tournament, she said, “Every team is very strong here. We don’t know who we’re going to be playing, and I think we need to be prepared for everything because they have players with very different game styles and that’s difficult to prepare for… I think I did well in France, and it brought the best out of me, so I’m going to try and do the same here.”

Further, Billie Jean King has followed Raducanu’s performances closely ever since she won the US Open title in 2021. Amid her struggles over the past few years, she had important advice for her.

When Billie Jean King offered a precious advice for Emma Raducanu

Last year, Raducanu missed a majority of the season due to injuries. She even had wrist and ankle surgeries which kept her sidelined for long. With Raducanu falling down the pecking order due to a lengthy absence, Billie Jean King advised her to remain positive and ignore the criticism that she faced.

King said, “I just know it’s gotten tough for her, I just hope that she’ll be alright because it’s tough. If you want to be a professional athlete, it’s tough. And you’ve got to learn not to listen to criticism, you got to learn all these things and that’s why I say don’t take anything personally because once you learn that, you’re okay. And if people are bullying you on social media you’ve got to stop looking at it or get some way to finish up, it’s really important.”

However, with Raducanu in good physical shape now, she would be raring to go in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. It’ll be interesting to see if she can inspire her country to win the title in Malaga.