By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday

The ITF has announced a scheduling change due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Billie Jean King Cup will move its eight play-off ties, originally scheduled for 5-6, February, to 13-18 April, during the week that the 2021 finals will be held.



“Eight two-day home-and-away Play-Off ties will now take place during the week of the Finals, which will be held from 13-18 April 2021,” the ITF said in a statement. “The decision provides increased certainty for competing teams and has been made by the ITF Billie Jean King Cup Committee in consultation with the WTA.”

The eight ties will take place in eight different locations, while the final, to be contested by 12 teams, will be held in Budapest, Hungary.

The 12 teams will compete in four round-robin groups of three teams. The four group winners will qualify for the semi-finals.

Group A: France (1), Russia, Hungary
Group B: Australia (2), Belarus, Belgium
Group C: USA (3), Spain, Slovakia
Group D: Czech Republic (4), Germany, Switzerland

“We are looking forward to what will be a fantastic week of international team tennis, showcasing the best of the Billie Jean King Cup competition,” said Katrina Adams, Billie Jean King Cup Committee Chair. “We would like to thank all of the national associations, hosts, captains and players involved for their understanding and flexibility as we continue to respond to the challenges posed by the pandemic.” All events will be subject to strict health and safety guidelines.

The eight Play-off ties are:

Poland (c) v Brazil
Great Britain (c) v Mexico
Serbia (c) v Canada
Latvia (c) v India
Japan (c) v Ukraine
Romania (c) v Italy
Argentina (c) v Kazakhstan
Netherlands (c) v China P.R.