From April 8–12, Maharashtra will host the famous Billie Jean King Cup Asia-Oceania Group-1 tournament at the Mhalunge Balewadi Tennis Complex, after a 25-year break. Pune will host the tournament for the first time in the nation’s tennis history.

In addition to host India, six teams from the Asia-Oceania Zone—including New Zealand, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, Korea, and Thailand—will compete in a round-robin style. Each match will comprise of two singles and a doubles match.

“After the success of Mumbai Open WTA and the Maha Open ATP Challenger, MSLTA in association with AITA and PMDTA is thrilled to get another event of the highest level,” Sunder Iyer, secretary of the MSLTA, said.

“The BKJC and the FED Cup have never been held in Pune, despite the MSLTA hosting almost all of the major tennis competitions. In order to facilitate the girls’ ability to participate at the top levels under domestic circumstances, AITA and MSLTA bid for this tournament,” Iyer said.

The Indian squad will try to repeat their previous performance in the tournament and put up a serious fight for one of the two qualifying slots from the region, with home support and familiar surroundings on their side.

Under the leadership of Ankita Raina, the Indian women’s tennis squad also includes Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipaty, and Vaidehi Chaudhari, who are all rated between 300 and 358.

Vishal Uppal has a lot of tactical choices heading into the competition thanks to the arrival of seasoned doubles specialist Prarthana Thombare (ranked 137 in doubles), who recently placed second at the WTA Mumbai Open.

The Indian squad will face fierce competition from New Zealand, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong despite the absence of certain powerhouses like China, Japan, and Kazakhstan.

The battle is definitely led by Lulu Sun of New Zealand, who is presently rated 44th in the world. Her colleagues, Aishi Das and Monique Barry, will be by her side as they try to leave a lasting impact.

Mananchaya Sawangkaew (111) and Lanlana Tararudee (173) are two of Thailand’s top-ranked singles players. The country also has a strong team that includes Thasaporn Naklo, Patcharin Cheapchandej, and seasoned doubles specialist Peangtarn Plipuech.

With Ya-Hsuan Lee, Yi-Tsen Cho, Fang-An Lin, and Fang Hsien Wu, Chinese Taipei, captained by Joanna Garland (ranked 212), has a well-rounded squad that works well together, especially in the doubles setup.

Along with compatriots Dayeon Back, Eunhye Lee, Boyoung Jeong, and Kim Dabin, Korea will depend on Sohyun Park (ranked 310), who just won an international championship in India.

Hong Kong Hong Yi Cody Wong (350) and Eudice Chong (356), a dangerous doubles team with more than a dozen professional circuit championships between them, will lead China’s campaign. Justine Leong, Man Ying Maggie Ng, and Ho Ching Wu are also on the squad.