Canada became the 13th different nation to win the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge after capping a perfect week in Seville with victory over Italy in Sunday’s final at Estadio de La Cartuja.
Teenager Marina Stakusic overcame Martina Trevisan 7-5 6-3 in the opening singles match before Leylah Fernandez beat Jasmine Paolini 6-2 6-3 to spark scenes of jubilation amongst Canada’s players, staff and supporters.
Captain Heidi El Tabakh and her players - Fernandez, Stakusic, Rebecca Marino, Eugenie Bouchard and Gabriela Dabrowski - were presented with the famous Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge trophy by David Haggerty (ITF President) and Billie Jean King herself to a rapturous reception on centre court.
They also received an unprecedented $2.4 million winners’ cheque which was presented by Dan Towriss, CEO and President of Group 1001, the parent company of Gainbridge. Thanks to the title sponsor’s partnership and support, the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals offered a record total Player Prize Money (PPM) purse of $9.6 million - equivalent to the total on offer to male players in the Davis Cup Finals.
For the second consecutive year, the new champions were presented with a special edition Billie Blue jacket each, designed by tournament official apparel partner, Tory Burch.
The design, unveiled before last year’s final in Glasgow, uses the iconic “Billie Blue” that Billie Jean King wore memorably throughout her career, including in her famous Battle of the Sexes match.
Canada had topped Group C after beating Poland and hosts Spain 3-0 earlier in the week, before battling to a 2-1 win over eleven-time tournament winners Czechia in Friday’s semi-final.
With today’s victory, Canada have become the second new title winner in two years following Switzerland’s first-time triumph in Glasgow 12 months ago.
Both Canada’s women’s and men’s teams are current World Champions, with Frank Dancevic’s team set to defend their Davis Cup title at the Final 8 in Malaga from 21 to 26 November.
Heidi El Tabakh said: “This team, these girls are incredible. I’m just so happy, I’m happy for the team and happy for everyone involved. It’s been an incredible week and to finish it off by winning the Billie Jean King Cup - this is a dream come true.”
Billie Jean King said: “Congratulations to Canada for capturing their first Billie Jean King Cup title. They played some incredible tennis this week and are deserving World Champions, and it was a great honour to present them with the trophy. Italy have also been fantastic this week, even though they have just come up short today. It has been a special week here in Seville, and I thank all the players, fans and staff who have made it so inspirational. I’m already excited for 2024!”
David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “Today has been the perfect way to end a wonderful week in Seville. I’d like to congratulate Canada on their well-deserved title win and my commiserations go to Italy. Like every player who’s taken part this week, they have done their nations proud. I would also like to thank the Region of Andalucia for their support throughout this event, our title sponsor Gainbridge for helping to make this year’s record level of prize money possible, and Microsoft, Magellan, Tory Burch, Iberdrola and Franklin Templeton for their ongoing support of this event. 2024 is going to be a very exciting year as we continue to build on the recent growth of the women’s World Cup of Tennis.”
Dan Towriss, CEO and President of Group 1001, the parent company of Gainbridge, said: “This has been another fantastic year of the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge. The city, the venue, the tennis, the fans - it was an incredible week in Seville. Sharing the stage with Team Canada and Billie Jean King and awarding equivalent prize money to what the men receive at this year’s Davis Cup Finals is a great conclusion to Parity Week, our celebration of women’s sports and a movement started by Billie Jean herself.”
Both the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals and Junior Finals took place in Andalucia as part of a wider agreement between the ITF and the Region of Andalucia, which will also see the Davis Cup Final 8 take place in Malaga (21-26 November). The Junior Davis Cup also took place in Córdoba last week, with Czechia clinching the title, while USA won the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Juniors title.
