Billie Jean King Cup Kicks Off Amid Tragic Floods and Historic Milestones

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals will begin in Malaga alongside the Davis Cup, featuring equal prize money for men and women for the second year. Spanish player Paula Badosa pledged part of her winnings to flood victims in Valencia. Teams from different nations will compete until November 20.

The Billie Jean King Cup Finals are set to launch in Malaga this week, marking a historic collaboration with the Davis Cup. The tournament arrives in the wake of devastating floods in eastern Spain, drawing attention to the recovery efforts.

This will be the first instance of the women's tournament sharing a venue with the Davis Cup, with overlapping schedules. For the second consecutive year, the women's competition will match the men's in prize money, highlighting the ongoing efforts for gender equity in sports.

In response to the deadly floods in the Valencia region, the International Tennis Federation has pledged to aid relief efforts through a donation to the Spanish Red Cross. Spanish tennis star Paula Badosa has also committed to donating a portion of her prize money to the cause.

(With inputs from agencies.)