ITF confirm Russia’s replacements for Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup after nation suspended over Ukraine invasion

Australia will take Russia’s place in the Billie Jean King Cup finals and Serbia will do likewise in the Davis Cup, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has confirmed. The Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) were suspended from international team competition, along with Belarus, amid the invasion of Ukraine.

Ad/> The decision to suspend Russia was announced on March 1, and meant they would be unable to defend their Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup titles – having become only the fourth nation to win both team events in the same year. WTA Indian Wells'Anything is possible' — Swiatek says Nadal's comeback win inspired her 'a lot'2 HOURS AGO The women's RTF team have been replaced in the Billie Jean King Cup by Australia, who were the highest-ranked losing semi-finalists in 2021.

As a result, Slovakia – who were due to play Australia in the qualifiers in April – also receive a bye and advance directly to the 2022 Finals. The same applies for Belgium, who were set to play Belarus in the qualifiers.

Russia, Belarus banned from team events, individuals to play on tour Fleeing home and taking up arms — How tennis reacted to Russia's invasion of Ukraine Medvedev, Rublev lead Russian Tennis Federation to Davis Cup glory Australia, Slovakia and Belgium will join 2021 runners-up Switzerland at the 2022 Finals, with seven more nations set to advance from the qualifiers, while a host nation is still to be announced as well. Meanwhile, in the men’s Davis Cup, Serbia advance to the Finals as the highest-ranked losing semi-finalist in 2021.