Peyton Stearns replaces Madison Keys on 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Finals team

Peyton Stearns is heading back to team tennis. The former University of Texas star has been called up for her U.S. Billie Jean King Cup debut as a replacement for Madison Keys at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville, Spain.

Stearns, 22, won the NCAA singles and team championships in 2022 as a Longhorn, and has had a breakthrough first full season as a professional this year. She reached her first WTA singles final this April in Bogota and rose to a career-high ranking of No. 43 in September, shortly after reaching the fourth round of the US Open. She also reached the third round in her Roland Garros debut, defeating 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko en route. 

She is currently ranked No. 48 after starting the season ranked No. 210.

Stearns joins a team that includes 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin, 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, 2021 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, and Top 10 doubles player Taylor Townsend in what will be Kathy Rinaldi's final event as U.S. captain. The Finals begin on Nov. 7, and the Americans begin their Finals campaign in Seville on Thursday, Nov. 9, with a group-stage match against defending champions Switzerland and conclude group play vs. the Czech Republic on Friday, Nov. 10.