Pegula, Navarro chosen for singles in 2024 U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier vs. Belgium

"We've been focused on ourselves, being on the highest level we can, get used to these conditions and just try to showcase our best talent possible out there."

The former world No. 1 and International Tennis Hall of Famer, in fact, already knows what it's like to face Belgium in the women's World Cup of Tennis. The U.S. has won five of seven ties against Belgium all-time, but the two countries have not played since 2011; Davenport was a member of the U.S. teams that beat Belgium in both 2000 and 2005, and a part of three of the team's 18 all-time titles in all.

By the end of this year, Davenport hopes the red, white and blue will be holding the trophy for a record-extending 19th time, and this weekend is the first step towards that overall goal.

"These ladies have been amazing for me," Davenport said. "My first time in this role and really couldn't have asked for a better week. Zero drama. They've all worked incredibly hard. They're all playing great tennis, too. So that has been the most exciting part.

"Being able to be on court with all five and six of they will them with Clervie [Ngounoue, the team's hitting partner] ... we've had a really amazing week. I'm incredibly grateful for all of them for not only being here but being excited about being here. We're looking forward to the matches. It's been a great week of practice and we're ready to go."

Pegula is set to suit up for the U.S. in Billie Jean King Cup play for a fifth time in her career; the world No. 5 owns a 4-2 career record in the competition, and hopes to match her performance from this round 12 months ago, when she went 2-0 in the U.S.'s 4-0 win against Austria. 

"It's always an honor to play. I really feel like I always take something really positive from these weeks," Pegula said. "I love the camaraderie of ... being able to help and support each other. Hopefully we can kind of get—all of us—some momentum this week and really take it into the rest of the year."

Pegula will face Costoulas to begin Friday's play at 6 p.m. local time, with the match between Navarro and Vandewinkel to follow. The players will switch places on Saturday, though Davenport and Belgian captain Wim Fissette, the coach of Naomi Osaka, have the opportunity of changing their lineups for Day 2 should they so choose; Pegula will face Vandewinkel first up, with Navarro to face Costoulas second. Taylor Townsend and Madison Keys were nominated for doubles against Benoit and Kimberly Zimmermann. An amended Saturday schedule is possible if one nation clinches victory in the third or fourth singles match.

Tennis Channel will carry live coverage of the tie in the U.S. beginning Friday at 6 p.m. EDT.