Emma Navarro to debut on U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team for 2024 Qualifier

Emma Navarro has risen more than 100 places in the WTA rankings over the last 12 months, which included a victory over world No. 2 and reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka on her way to the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open this week.

The former NCAA champion is now being rewarded for that effort with a first-ever selection to the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team. 

The 22-year-old from Charleston will be joined next month on captain Lindsay Daveport's squad by Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Caroline Dolehide and Taylor Townsend in the 2024 qualifying round as the U.S. faces Belgium at the USTA National Campus. The tie, the first to ever be held at the home of American tennis in Lake Nona, also marks International Tennis Hall of Famer Davenport's debut at the helm of the team, having succeeded Kathy Rinaldi as U.S. captain last September.

The U.S. is seeking to reach the Billie Jean King Cup Finals for the fourth time in the four years since the competition transitioned to a single-site format in 2021. The U.S. is 5-2 against Belgium in the Billie Jean King Cup play all-time, but the two squads have not faced each other in 13 years. Belgium won the last tie between the two teams in 2011, 4-1, thanks in part to the efforts of former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters.

World No.5 Pegula is leading the U.S. in the qualifying round for the third year in a row, having helped the squad take victory against Ukraine in Asheville, N.C. in 2022 and against Austria In Delray Beach, Fla. Last year. Pegula is 4-2 all-time in Billie Jean King Cup play, while Keys, ranked No. 20 this week, has played eight ties across her seven career nominations. She will be making her first appaearance for the squad since the 2022 Finals, as she celebrates the 10-year anniversary of her Billie Jean King Cup debut.