Bengaluru, Nov 13 (NationPress) The Indian women's tennis team is gearing up for what could be a pivotal moment in their careers as they prepare to face off against the Netherlands and Slovenia in the Billie Jean King Cup Playoff at the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium in Bengaluru.

India finds itself in Group G, with a match against Slovenia scheduled for Saturday, followed by a contest against the Netherlands on Sunday. The top team from this group will advance to the World Group qualifiers of the Billie Jean King Cup.

With a strong sense of confidence, India believes that their preparation and the support from local fans will create an ideal atmosphere for a standout performance on home soil.

Reflecting on the significance of playing at home, captain Vishal Uppal remarked, “It is certainly an honor and very special for us to host the Billie Jean King Cup Playoff in Bengaluru. I believe Indian women's tennis is on the right track, and we are thrilled to compete here. Playing in India is a privilege for us.”

The Indian team faces a significant challenge as they take on Slovenia and the Netherlands. When discussing the team's readiness and the pressure of the moment, captain Uppal stated, “Since our last match in April in Pune, we have remained connected and monitored each other's development. It’s essential for us to become a united front working towards a shared goal.”

He continued, “Our focus is on our process and the actions we need to take. We acknowledge that we will be facing two formidable teams. What we can control is our effort and attitude. The atmosphere within the team is fantastic.”

One of the team's rising stars, Sahaja Yamalapalli, shared her enthusiasm, emphasizing that the camaraderie in the team is invaluable. “Having a supportive team around us is fantastic. We can always rely on one another, and our strong team spirit brings a new perspective to our game,” she explained.

The Group G matches in Bengaluru will kick off with Slovenia, ranked 19th, against the Netherlands, currently 14th. Both teams are in high spirits and eager to make their mark. Slovenian player Tamara Zidanšek mentioned, “We arrived a bit early, which has been beneficial as the conditions here are quite different with a bit of altitude. The courts are lively, and the balls bounce high, so having extra days to adjust has been great.”

Meanwhile, the Netherlands, the highest-ranked team in the group, commended the organization of the tournament in Bengaluru and expressed that they feel very at home.

Looking forward to their opening match against Slovenia, a team they faced last year, captain Elise Tamaëla stated, “Every match is unique, but we have gained confidence from last year. We know we can win against them. Our team is strong, and in any match, anything can happen. The key is that we are well-prepared.”

As preparations continue, all three teams have settled into Bengaluru, with India and Slovenia arriving on November 8 and the Netherlands on November 10, all training on the hard courts of the SM Krishna Tennis Stadium. As India hosts the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs for the very first time, excitement builds ahead of the Group G matchups.

These thrilling contests are set to unfold over three afternoons: Slovenia vs. Netherlands on Friday, November 14, India vs. Slovenia on Saturday, November 15, and the eagerly anticipated India vs. Netherlands match on Sunday, November 16. Each tie promises top-tier tennis starting at 3:00 PM IST.

Squads:

Team India: Sahaja Yamalapalli, Shrivalli Bhamidipathy, Ankita Raina, Riya Bhatia, Prarthana Thombare.

Team Netherlands: Suzan Lamens, Arantxa Rus, Anouk Koevermans, Demi Schuurs.

Team Slovenia: Tamara Zidansek, Kaja Juvan, Dalila Jakupovic, Nika Radisic.