New Zealand’s Billie Jean King Cup team is set to feature two prominent players: Lulu Sun and Erin Routliffe. Both have been confirmed for the team that will compete against Poland and Romania in the upcoming play-offs. The matches are scheduled for November 14-16 in Gorzów Wielkopolski, Poland.
Team Composition and Preparation
The New Zealand team not only includes Sun and Routliffe but also Vivian Yang, Jade Otway, and Elyse Tse. This marks a significant moment as New Zealand reached the play-offs for the first time in over 30 years by finishing at the top of the Asia/Oceania Group I in April.
- Lulu Sun: New Zealand’s top singles player.
- Erin Routliffe: Notable doubles player, recently won the US Open.
- Vivian Yang: Transferred to University of Virginia.
- Jade Otway: Member of a strong college team at Texas Christian University.
- Elyse Tse: Former player at Washington State.
Captain and Motivation
The team will be led by captain Matt Hair, who successfully guided New Zealand to four victories out of five ties earlier this year in India. Hair expressed pride in the team’s achievements, stating, “April was a special milestone for the team. The hard work, belief, and unity to reach this stage meant so much.”
Upcoming Matches and Competition
New Zealand will face a challenging group, as Poland may field players like Iga Swiatek, Magda Linette, and Magdalena Frech. Romania is also a formidable opponent with players Jaqueline Christian and Sorana Cirstea ranked in the top 60.
The play-off matches will consist of two singles games followed by a doubles match, all taking place over three days at Arena Gorzów. The top seven group winners will advance to the 2026 qualifiers, while the remaining teams will enter the 2026 Regional Group I events.
This opportunity marks a significant step forward for New Zealand’s women’s tennis, demonstrating their commitment and talent on the international stage.
