Billie Jean King Cup Finals To Begin With Added Attention Given To Victims Of Deadly Floods In Spain

Billie Jean King Cup Finals will begin in Malaga this week in a closer partnership with Davis Cup and with some ded attention given to victims of dely floods that recently devastated eastern Spain.

It will be first time that women's team tournament will take place at same venue as Davis Cup and with overlapping dates. And for second year in a row, it will offer equivalent prize money to men's competition.

women's event begins two weeks after a powerful storm caused flash floods that killed more than 200 people in Valencia region east of Malaga.

International Tennis Federation anunced a donation to Spanish Red Cross to support relief and recovery efforts in region, and Spanish player Paula Bosa said she will donate half of her prize money to help victims.

“I'm excited about representing my country, but I won't forget about what's really important in se moments,” Bosa said on a social media post.

Spain takes on Iga Swiatek's Poland on competition's first day on Tuesday, led by Bosa t long after former second-ranked player considered retiring while dealing with a chronic back injury.

“I think it was a bit of a rollercoaster this year," Bosa said. “I’m really proud of myself, how I overcame se tough situations and also how I finished season. I finished year in a very high level. I’m really happy, as re was one point of season where I was very far away from level I wanted to be.”

On Wednesday, United States will take on Slovakia with Ashlyn Krueger replacing Jessica Pegula in Lindsay Davenport's team, which also includes Danielle Collins, Caroline Dolehide, Peyton Stearns and Taylor Townsend.

Also on Wednesday, Japan — without Naomi Osaka — plays against Romania, while on Thursday it's Germany against Britain. Defending champion Cana, Australia, Italy and Czech Republic wait to take on winners of those previous matchups.

Each matchup will be a best-of-three series with two singles matches and one doubles match.

Previously kwn as Fed Cup, competition was rebranded in 2020 to align with former tennis star Billie Jean King.

It will end v. 20, while Davis Cup will be played v. 19-24, with all matches taking place at Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena in Malaga.