New Zealand’s best singles player, Lulu Sun, and one of the world’s best doubles players, Erin Routliffe, have both been named in New Zealand’s Billie Jean King Cup squad.
Both men will be part of the team that faces Poland and Romania in the BJK Cup play-offs next month.
The team, which also includes Vivian Yang, Jade Otway and Elyse Tse, will travel to Poland for the Billie Jean King round robin play-offs in the 2026 qualifiers.
New Zealand reached the play-offs for the first time in more than 30 years by finishing first in Group I Asia/Oceania in April.
Routliffe, who won the US Open with Gaby Dabrowski last month, was unavailable to play at this event, Sun has been in great form in the WTA 125 tournaments.
Otway was recently on a great college team at Texas Christian University and Tse was at Washington State. Yang transferred to the University of Virginia for her third year in August.
The team is once again captained by Matt Hair, who guided New Zealand to four wins in five matches in India earlier this year to clinch a play-off berth.
“April was a special milestone for the team. The hard work, belief and unity to reach this milestone meant a lot,” Hair said.
“Now that we are preparing for the Billie Jean Cup play-offs, we are ready to take on the challenge that lies ahead.
“Finishing top of the group in India proved that we belong here and that we have the qualities to make a real impact in this competition.”
Poland boast a team including Iga Swiatek, Magda Linette and Magdalena Frech for the play-offs, while Romania have two players ranked in the top 60, Jaqueline Christian and Sorana Cirstea.
The event will take place over three days at Arena Gorzow, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland, from November 14-16.
Ties consist of three matches – two singles matches followed by a doubles match.
The seven group winners advance to qualifying for 2026. The remaining 14 teams will compete in the 2026 Regional Group I events.
