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Jr. Staff Writer
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March 5, 2026
Melbourne Park is set to serve up international tennis once again, with Australia to host Great Britain in a highly anticipated Billie Jean King Cup qualifier this April—the first time the world’s premier women’s team tennis competition has returned to Melbourne in 15 years.
The two-day tie, running from 10th–11th April at John Cain Arena, will decide who advances to the Cup Finals in China later this year.
Maya Joint Leads The Aussie Charge
Source: Supplied
Leading the home team is 19‑year‑old Maya Joint, who’s quickly established herself as Australia’s top-ranked woman and a rising star on the world stage.
“It’s an amazing feeling to represent your country,” Joint said. “To be able to do it again in Australia is just super special. It’s going to be such an amazing atmosphere and I can’t wait.”
Home Advantage For Hunter And Stosur
Source: Supplied
Maya will be joined by Storm Hunter, the doubles specialist and fan favourite known for her grit and green‑and‑gold pride.
Moreover, Team captain Sam Stosur, an eight‑time Grand Slam champion, confirmed Hunter’s spot and praised the team’s youthful energy alongside Joint’s rapid rise through the ranks.
“Storm brings a wealth of experience to the team and always represents herself and the country with pride,” Stosur said. “Maya is currently our No.1 player and has had such a fast rise up the rankings. It’s fantastic to have her back representing Australia once again.”
In addition, Hunter said there’s nothing like competing in front of a home crowd. “For me, the best weeks of the year are wearing the green and gold. We want to make Australia proud… we’re going to give it everything,” she said.
A Weekend Dedicated To Tennis
Source: Shutterstock
Meanwhile, with no AFL fixtures in Melbourne that weekend, organisers say the qualifier offers an energetic and affordable alternative for families keen to experience live sport.
Specifically, the tie will feature a best‑of‑five‑rubber format—four singles matches and one doubles—played over two days, each best of three sets.
Australia sits among the tournament’s most storied nations, ranked No.12 in the world and holding seven Billie Jean King Cup (formerly Fed Cup) titles, behind only the United States and Czechia.
The team has finished runner-up twice in recent years, in 2019 and 2022, and last faced Great Britain in 2022, edging them out in a tense doubles decider.
The last time the Cup came to Melbourne, back in 2011, Ukraine stunned the home side 3–2—something the current squad will be eager to avenge as they look to reclaim their place among the sport’s elite.
So, tickets to the Billie Jean King Cup go on sale from 24th February at 5.00pm AEDT, with prices starting at $23 and free entry for kids 12 and under.