Billie Jean King to attend U.S. and Ukraine Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier

Next week's Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier between the U.S. and Ukraine in Asheville, N.C. will have one very special guest in attendence: the namesake of the competition herself. 

Billie Jean King and her partner, Ilana Kloss, will be in attendance at the first tie on U.S. soil since the competition, last called Fed Cup, was renamed in her honor in 2020. King and Kloss have also announced a $50,000 donation to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, supporting humanitarian relief efforts for the war in Ukraine. 

King will take part in the opening ceremony before the first day of matches on Friday, April 15. Play is set to begin at 1 p.m. at the Harrah's Cherokee Center, and will feature each country's top two nominated players in singles matches. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.

King and Kloss' donation is the latest fundraising commitment tied to this event. The USTA previously announced it will be donating 10% of its ticket revenue from the tie to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, while local sponsors Harrah's Cherokee Resorts, Ingles Markets and New Belgium Brewing Company will also make donations. Fans are encouraged to donate via Tennis Plays For Peace, an inititaive launched last month by the WTA, ATP, ITF and the four Grand Slams—the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.