Organisers have confirmed that the Billie Jean King Cup, a premier women’s tennis tournament, will go ahead in Malaga despite severe weather conditions causing a delay.
Heavy rain and storms forced the postponement of the opening tie between Spain and Poland, but games are now scheduled to begin on Thursday as weather conditions improve.
Weather-related delay and Safety concerns
After flash floods recently impacted eastern Spain, another weather front hit southern Spain on Wednesday, bringing torrential rains and flooding to Malaga. The International Tennis Federation (ITF) decided to postpone the first match to prioritise the safety of players, staff, and fans. Technical and security teams, along with local authorities, conducted thorough inspections of the site to assess potential risks. Authorities stated that a red weather alert would be lifted by Thursday morning, allowing games to commence safely.
Revised schedule for the first matches
The first tie between Spain and Poland, led by five-time major champion Iga Swiatek, is now scheduled for Friday at 09.00 am GMT. Great Britain’s first-round match against Germany is also set for Friday at 4.00 pm GMT and will be broadcast live by the BBC. Other matches are scheduled to proceed on Thursday, with Japan facing Romania at noon GMT and Slovakia meeting the USA later in the day at 5.00 pm GMT.
Venue conditions and access challenges
The Billie Jean King Cup is being hosted indoors at the Palacios de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena. The recent storms resulted in significant flooding around the venue’s entrance, making access challenging. BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller reported that the stadium, built in a low-lying area, experienced ankle-deep water in parts, and ongoing rain made access to the arena difficult. Local metro services were temporarily suspended, and some businesses in Malaga closed due to the adverse weather.
Billie Jean King Cup overview
The Billie Jean King Cup is a 12-nation women’s tennis event, with the winning team crowned world champions. The tournament’s final is set for 20 November. Despite the challenging weather, organisers are committed to delivering an exciting event for tennis fans.
As weather conditions improve, organisers are hopeful that the tournament will proceed smoothly, and fans will soon be able to enjoy high-level competition in Malaga.