Shvedova completes Billie Jean King Cup double after junior joy

Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Yaroslava Shvedova has completed a rare double after captaining Kazakhstan to the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors by Gainbridge Finals for the first time in their history.

This follows a successful showing at Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying in Shymkent where Japan, as the top-performing nation of week, and Australia also reached the Finals, which will take place in Cordoba, Spain later this year.

Shvedova also captained Kazakhstan’s senior team, featuring 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, as they defeated Poland during April’s Qualifiers to reach the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals. These will take place in Seville, Spain from 7-12 November.

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The 35-year-old spoke to itftennis.com ahead of Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying about the prospect of guiding two Kazakh teams to their respective Finals within a matter of weeks and the difference in approach between the two roles.

Her captaincy ultimately proved successful and as well as Kazakhstan mixing with the world’s best at senior level, their girls will now go head-to-head with the finest teams on the planet at 16-and-under level.

Kazakhstan were represented by Polina Sleptsova, Ariana Gogulina and Anastasiya Krymkova at Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying. 

There will be further details of Asia/Oceania Final Qualifying for Billie Jean King Cup Juniors and Davis Cup Juniors, which is currently taking place in Shymkent, on the ITF website next week.