The new name for the women’s world cup of tennis is a fitting tribute to one of the game’s greatest icons and lifelong campaigner for social justice and equality – Billie Jean King.

A record 10-time Fed Cup champion on the court and a pioneer off it, Billie Jean King has dedicated her life to fighting discrimination in all its forms and epitomises the values and ethos of the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport.

'It is an honour to have the women's world cup of tennis carry my name'

With the competition being renamed, this is the first time a major global team event has been named after a woman. The ITF hopes the rebrand will not only recognises Billie Jean King’s achievements, but ensure she continues to be a visible role model for generations to come.

“I’m pleased by the news that the number one global team competition for women will be named after a female pioneer going forward” said Anne Keothavong, GB Billie Jean King Cup team captain.

“Anything that brings increased visibility to our sport, to the event and helps it grow on an equal platform with the men is definitely a positive move.”

The rename also follows the introduction of a new finals format that will bring the 12 best nations together over one week in Budapest to compete to become world champions. From 2021, under its new name, the Billie Jean King Cup Finals will award the biggest annual prize fund in women’s team sports – equivalent to that offered to the men playing Davis Cup Finals.

Billie Jean King said, “There is nothing quite like the feeling of representing your country and being part of a team, which is why this competition is so special and important to me. It is an honour to have the women’s world cup of tennis carry my name and a responsibility I will not take lightly. Our job is to share this vision with future generations of young girls, because if you can see it, you can be it.”

Billie Jean King Cup 2021

Great Britain’s journey in the Billie Jean King Cup play-off tie against Mexico was rescheduled for February 2021 earlier this year due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The 12 teams which have already qualified for this year’s Finals will compete at the rescheduled Finals in April 2021 on indoor clay courts at the Laszlo Papp Arena in Budapest, Hungary. The draw for the Finals will remain as originally published for 2020.