Billie Jean King Cup Finals opening match postponed after severe weather alert in Malaga
Host Spain and Poland meet Friday; Canada begins play Sunday vs. Britain or Germany
The first tie of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals between Spain and Poland was postponed on Wednesday because of a severe weather alert in the Malaga region, while the scheduled start of Japan vs. Romania on Thursday was moved back two hours.
Organizers said the decision to postpone Wednesday's tie was "made based on guidance from the relevant authorities to ensure the health and safety of all participants and attendees."
The first-round match between Spain and Poland will now be played on Friday, when Germany will also face Britain.
Authorities planned to lift the severe weather alert at 2 a.m. ET Thursday. The gates will open to the public at 5 a.m.
Organizers said technical and security teams conducted "a thorough site inspection" before confirming Thursday's matches, which will also include the United States playing Slovakia in the evening.
Organizers said they would continue to closely monitor the weather conditions and provide updates if necessary.
Matches are scheduled to take place at the indoor Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martin Carpena.
Singles star Leylah Fernandez and doubles specialist Gabriela Dabrowski will anchor Canada's five-player lineup this week when the team tries to defend its Billie Jean King Cup title.
WATCH l Canada wins 1st-ever Billie Jean King Cup title in 2023:
Canada opens vs. Britain or Germany
Canada will look to become the first team since the Czech Republic in 2016 to successfully defend its Billie Jean King Cup title.
The Canadians, who received an automatic berth as defending champion, will play Great Britain or Germany this Sunday at Martin Carpena Arena. The tournament will continue through Nov. 20.
Australia, Italy and wild-card entry Czech Republic also received first-round byes.
Last November, Marina Stakusic and Fernandez swept singles matches for Canada's first title win in Spain.
Vancouver's Rebecca Marino is also back but Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 U.S. Open champion from Mississauga, Ont., withdrew last week to focus on her health after she battled injuries throughout the season. She hasn't been on Canada's squad at the Billie Jean King Cup since 2022.
Both the Billie Jean King Cup Finals and the Davis Cup Finals are taking place in the southern Spanish city, with the men's competition beginning next week, also at the Palacio de Deportes.
The women's event is taking place after a powerful storm caused flash floods that killed more than 200 people in the Valencia region, east of Malaga, about two weeks ago.
The International Tennis Federation recently announced a donation to the Spanish Red Cross to support relief and recovery efforts in the region, and Spanish player Paula Badosa said she will donate half of her prize money to help the victims.
With files from The Canadian Press
