Omni Amelia Island Resort will be the location for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifying Tie between Ukraine and Romania from April 12-13.
The Svitolina Foundation, which manages the Ukrainian women’s national team in the Billie Jean King Cup, selected Omni Amelia Island Resort as the new host site for the tie. Racquet Park, the resort’s award-winning tennis and pickleball center, features 22 har-tru clay tennis courts in addition to a sunken stadium court.
Omni Amelia Island Resort has hosted professional tennis tournaments for more than three decades, most notably serving as the host site of the WTA International tournament from 1980-2008.
This is one of eight ties held around the world in April, with the winners of each advancing to the finals in November in Seville, Spain, to battle for the Billie Jean King Cup title.
“I am so excited to be part of this exciting opportunity at Omni Amelia Island Resort to bring world-class tennis back to North Florida,” said Elina Svitolina, the top-ranked Ukrainian player and former World No. 3. “Of course, our dream would be holding our home tie in Ukraine, as it has always been, but during the war it is not possible.
“Bush Tennis Center has been an amazing supporter and partner of the Svitolina Foundation and to have them supporting us in our first tie as the organizing party of the Ukrainian Billie Jean King Cup team means a lot.
“We hope that many people can come out and support us as we take on Romania and really help us create a home atmosphere.”
While Svitolina will be leading the Ukraine team, former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam tournament champion Simona Halep will lead the Romanian team.
The competition will be a best-of-five match series with the top women’s players from Ukraine and Romania competing to advance to the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals. The event is one of eight held around the world in April, with the winners of each advancing to the finals next November in Seville, Spain, to compete for the title.
The qualifier begins Friday, April 12, with two singles matches featuring each country’s top two players. Two reverse singles matches and a doubles match will follow on Saturday, April 13, with an amended schedule possible if one nation clinches victory in the third or fourth singles match.
“Omni Amelia Island Resort is a fantastic venue for both teams to compete,” said Tim Stallard, tie co-organizer and executive director of Bush Tennis Center. “The strong local tennis community has a great opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world compete in the ‘World Cup of Tennis.’”
Tickets are on sale to the public at etix.com, and 100% of the proceeds benefit the Svitolina Foundation and the Bush-Wikse ACE Outreach Program, helping children worldwide with access to tennis equipment and programs.
For information on corporate, VIP hospitality or individual sponsorship opportunities, contact Tim Stallard at tim@bushtenniscenter.org or 512-576-4796. For information on the event, visit https://www.billiejeanking cup.com/en/bjkc-home.