BJK Cup: Great Britain has a “real blow” in victory despite the absence of Emma Raducanu, explains Captain Anne Keothavong

Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong said his team had a “real blow” to win the Billie Jean King Cup despite the absence of Emma Raducanu.

The British number one Raducanu withdrew from the team for this week’s final so that it can rather play the Korea Open in Seoul.

Raducanu felt an additional week during the WTA tour with the new coach Francisco Roig would be better for the long -term development of his game.

It was replaced in the Keothavong team by Francesca Jones, who will line up alongside Katie Boulter, Sonay Kartal and Jodie Burrage when Great Britain will face Japan on Thursday.

BOULTER – The first single player in Great Britain in the absence of a Raducanu – says that the team “would have loved” Raducanu to be with them in China.

“I think it is a huge asset for the team, but in the end, we must still focus on the team we have, the people who are here and ready to play,” BBC Sport BBC Sport told BBC.

“We cannot look too much back, we have to stay [looking] Before. We qualified for our own bat – I think we are in a very strong position.

“It’s really nice to have the same group of girls who were there before, and it’s great to have a glimpse of Fran.”

Japan is also without its number one player after Naomi Osaka withdrew after its race for the American semi-finals.

“I think we have a real blow [winning] It is, “said Captain Keothavong.

“We are the second seeds here, having reached the semi-finals twice in recent years and approaching going further.”