BJK Cup: Czechs are back on top of the world

The favourites’ triumph

The Czechs are the second-most successful country in the history of the competition, with 12 titles won from 13 finals reached.

In a period of sheer dominance, the Czech Republic were crowned champions six times between 2011 and 2018 but then suffered a drought that finally came to an end on Sunday, as Muchova downed Anhelina Kalinina 6-2, 6-3 and Noskova overcame fellow top-10 player Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6(5) to clinch a 2-0 tie victory over Ukraine.

It was an emotional triumph for all involved but particularly for Barbora Strycova, who became just the fourth woman to win the Billie Jean King Cup as both a player and a captain – joining Margaret Court, Chris Evert and Billie Jean King.

“It says so much to be next to such legends. I didn't know that before. They told me before the match. I had goose bumps to hear just the names,” said Strycova.

Strycova is a six-time champion in the competition and was part of the team that beat USA in the final in Prague in 2018 – which was her last year representing the Czech Republic in the Billie Jean King Cup.

She took over as captain of the Czech team earlier this year, and in her freshman season at the helm, Strycova was crowned a world champion once again, but this time as a leader on the sidelines instead of on the court.

“To win it as a player and now win it as a captain of such an incredible group of players and be sitting there on the bench in the different position, it means so much,” said Strycova.

“To be honest, it was my dream which I didn't say out loud. But yeah, it happened. It feels surreal but it's very real. I am very honoured.”

Muchova returned to the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time since 2022 this past week. The 30-year-old was rested for the quarter-final tie against Great Britain on opening day at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre but claimed singles wins against Spain in the semis and Ukraine in the final to help secure the Cup for the team.

“It's very special. It’s a dream of mine to lift the trophy. To do it with these girls sitting here, it's a pleasure. I'm just so proud of us, how we managed whole week, how we fought, how we practiced the whole week, how we just have the vibe in the locker. It was such a nice time,” said the two-time Grand Slam finalist.

“To win it is like a cherry on the top. I'm just so grateful it happened, that we can celebrate now.”

World No.6 Noskova made her Billie Jean King Cup debut in the 2023 Finals and has won 10 of the 13 matches she has contested since.

The reigning Wimbledon champion is on an eight-match winning streak in the competition and handled an in-form Svitolina on Sunday with great composure, rebounding from a 1-3 deficit in the opening set to get the win in straight sets.

“I was not nervous at all before the match, which I thought was kind of weird. Obviously as the match started, I was already getting into the rhythm, so I didn't have time to be nervous,” said the 21-year-old Noskova.

“But I just kept telling myself it's a match like every other else. Obviously, this one mattered a lot. I was not playing just for myself, but for my country as well.

“I did not feel or didn't put any pressure on myself. I wanted to play my game. I wanted to enjoy the match, which I did. Yeah, I'm happy with myself.”

Doubles world No.1 Katerina Siniakova did not have to play the entire week since her team clinched all three ties with two singles victories.

She certainly didn’t mind it.

“I definitely enjoyed it. It was totally different. I don't mind that I had to sit on the bench and just cheer for them. They did an amazing job. I was trying to support. I was definitely happy I didn't need to go for the deciding point,” said Siniakova.

'We look to the future with a lot of optimism'

For Ukraine, it was an important step forward as they reached the final for the first time in competition history.

Svitolina and Co. ended the title defence of Italy in the semi-finals, by avenging their loss to them at the same stage 12 months ago, and feel optimistic about the future of the team.

“I have a feeling that our team became stronger and stronger every year. Last year was a historic achievement for us to make the semi-finals. This year it was kind of normal. Now it's another historic achievement, we played final. We look to the future with a lot of optimism,” said Ukraine captain Illya Marchenko.

“I think it's a great team. I think we managed to create space for girls so everyone feels comfortable. Really enjoying themselves playing for Ukraine.

“Of course, for Ukraine it's very important. Right now we see a lot of struggles in our home country with attacks, with drones and everything. These moments of enjoy are very important for Ukrainian spectators. We are really happy that we could bring some joy into Ukraine this week.”

Svitolina added: “It was not an easy day for us, but I'm really proud of the team, all the effort that we've done this year. Went one step closer to be the champions here, but not this year.

“We are really motivated for next year to come and do better.”