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ORLANDO, Fla., June 26, 2023 – The USTA in the present day introduced that Kathy Rinaldi will step down as U.S. Billie Jean King Cup captain following the 2023 Finals. Rinaldi will stay in her place as USTA Participant Growth’s Head of Ladies’s Tennis and can proceed main Participant Growth’s efforts to determine and develop present and future generations of American ladies’s champions. The seek for the following captain will start instantly.
Rinaldi was appointed captain of the U.S. group in December 2016 and led the U.S. to its report thirty second Billie Jean King Cup title in 2017, the primary U.S. captain since 1986 to win the title of their first yr. Moreover, the U.S. group underneath Rinaldi reached the ultimate in 2018, the semifinals in 2021 and so far has produced an 11-5 report in ties.
The U.S. defeated Austria in April’s Qualifiers to advance to this yr’s Finals, held November 7-12 in Seville, Spain. The U.S. will compete in Group A alongside defending champion Switzerland and the Czech Republic in hopes of advancing to the knockout semifinals and past.
Kathy Rinaldi, U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Captain and Head of Ladies’s Tennis, USTA:
“Having the distinct function of being named Captain of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Crew was one of many best honors of my life. It has been an unbelievable journey for six-plus years! I actually hope I made Billie Jean proud. I’ve a lot love and admiration for her and for her iconic affect on ladies in sports activities, and for the affect she and Ilana proceed to have on my life.
“At first, I need to personally thank every American participant for all the time saying sure after they bought my name to play, and elevating their hand to characterize America. They represented the USA with coronary heart and sophistication! We all the time left all of it on the courtroom whereas having lots of enjoyable, too. Thanks, gamers, for the chance to be your Captain, and sharing the bench with you! I would like every American participant to understand how a lot they’ve impacted my life in such a constructive manner. I’ll treasure every of you and the recollections we made collectively perpetually!
“I additionally need to say thanks to all of the followers in your assist of our group! We felt your love, and it certain was an honor to battle in entrance of you, realizing that you just had been all the time behind us it doesn’t matter what. We heard you!
“Thanks to my unbelievable USTA Crew & Household, the Coaches, the Efficiency Crew and the workers in your assist, love and friendships, and evidently your dedication and tireless onerous work. You encourage me every day!
“Final however actually not least, I need to thank my devoted husband and son for his or her continued love and assist of me, my profession and my ardour for tennis. I couldn’t do that with out you!
“Although I’m stepping down as Captain, I’m extraordinarily excited to proceed dedicating my effort and time towards supporting our American gamers because the USTA’s Head of Ladies’s Tennis. I’m additionally excited to see what’s subsequent in my journey to affect this most wonderful sport on a broader scale. Let’s go, USA!”
Stacey Allaster, Chief Govt, Skilled Tennis, USTA:
“Kathy has been an unbelievable captain and an inclusive chief on and off the courtroom for our gamers. Her pleasure and keenness to guide the American group was unwavering, and the athletes beloved to play for her. Now we have been lucky to have such a champion lead the Billie Jean King Cup Crew and are equally if no more lucky that Kathy will proceed in her function as Head of Ladies’s Tennis to teach, assist and encourage in the present day’s gamers and our future Billie Jean King Cup group members.”
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