ITF

16 Winter 2020 ITF World formidable during the last decade, echoed Halep's sentiments. "Fed Cup has always been a huge part of my career and it is one of the best competitions – there is nothing like playing for my country," said Kvitova, who has contested 22 ties for her nation since making her tournament debut in 2007. "I am really excited to hear that it will grow and be renamed Billie Jean King Cup. Thank you very much Billie Jean for your continued support of the women's game." In recent years, King has forged a strong bond with Japan's Naomi Osaka, who claimed her second US Open title and the third Grand Slam of her career at Flushing Meadows in September. Osaka also champions equality and for every match at the US Open wore a different face mask bearing the name of a black victim of violence, having previously joined the widespread boycott of various American sporting events in protest at racial inequality. King likened Osaka's off-court stance to that of the 'Original 9' half a century earlier. The 23-year-old's respect for King, the band of female tennis players who signed symbolic $1 contracts in 1970 and the movement which ultimately led to the creation of the WTA, is mutual. In terms of the women's team event itself, in Osaka's view, there has been a significant upgrade in its appeal. "It has always meant a lot but it will mean a lot more now because it is named after Billie Jean King," said Osaka. "For me, she is truly an inspiration. She always texts me really nice messages and it is always nice to see someone, who is so respected, care so much about the game." Ever since her US Open triumph in 2018, Osaka is someone who knows all about the focus of attention, being a figurehead and inspiring those around here, while the same can be said of Tunisia's Ons Jabeur. The Arab world accounts for around 422 million of the global population, although prior to Jabeur it had only provided five Top 100 players, with four being men. The only woman to achieve the feat was Jabeur's fellow Tunisian Selima Sfar, who reached No. 75 in 2001. Jabeur was the first Arab woman to reach the quarter-final of a Grand Slam at this year's Australian Open, the first to break into the Top 50 and first to make it to a WTA final. Her progress ensured more success and attention at Roland Garros in October as the 26-year-old continued to break new ground by becoming the first Arab woman to reach the fourth round in Paris. Jabeur revealed that on the morning of her third-round showdown with Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus she had received a message from King. The text wished her good luck for her upcoming match but also thanked her for a "beautiful and heartfelt" video saluting the Billie Jean King Cup announcement. Acknowledging King's wider contribution to the sport and the women's game, Jabeur said: "The competition being named Billie Jean King Cup is amazing and it is an honour for me now to play Billie Jean King Cup. It is going to be so exciting. "I would also like to thank Billie Jean for everything she has done for women's tennis. Without her, I wouldn't be here playing in Grand Slams and other tournaments so I would like to thank her for everything she has done for us." "WITHOUT HER, I WOULDN'T BE HERE PLAYING IN GRAND SLAMS AND OTHER TOURNAMENTS." ONS JABEUR Right France will arrive in Budapest as defending champions having triumphed in 2019 Below King was a member of the USA team crowned inaugural winners of the compe on in 1963 CLICK FOR VIDEO

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