GLASGOW, Scotland: Switzerland gave tennis fans in the country still mourning the retirement of Roger Federer something to celebrate as their women beat Australia in Glasgow on Sunday to win the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time.
Two months after Federer, one of the greatest players in the history of the game, bid a tearful farewell to tennis in London, his compatriots Belinda Bencic and Jil Teichmann both enjoyed singles victories as Switzerland inflicted more misery on Australia in a competition formerly known as the Federation Cup.
It was Switzerland’s third appearance in the final. They lost to the now banned Russia team last year — the first edition of the rebranded Billie Jean King Cup— and were also runners-up when Martina Hingis was the key figure in their side in 1998. “What happened last year gave us extra motivation,” said Bencic, the world No.
12. “We were so heartbroken, I don’t think I have ever cried so much. “Afterwards Jil said we would win it next year and we have.