16.04.2021

Billie Jean Cup: BNP Paribas supports women in tennis

To mark the 50th anniversary of the “Original 9”, the founding movement for equality in tennis led by Billie Jean King, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) has decided to rename the Fed Cup as the “Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas”. A strong tribute to this American tennis champion who has worked throughout her career for the recognition of the place of women in sport and in society.

In this exclusive interview, Billie Jean King shares her vision of how she influenced reaching gender equality in tennis: «The ITF and BNP Paribas have a lot of the same philosophies. They really do support helping women and having equality and I really appreciate that», – Billie Jean King.

To pay tribute to the tennis legend and her commitment to gender equality in sport and society, the “Fed Cup by BNP Paribas” has now become the “Billie Jean Cup by BNP Paribas”.

This name change resonates particularly well with BNP Paribas’ commitment to gender equality and its history with tennis, notably through the Fed Cup, which in 2019 became the women’s competition with the largest prize-money in the world (all sports combined), matching that of the Davis Cup.

“In line with Billie Jean King’s commitment, the Group is doing everything possible to promote gender equality and relentlessly fight against all forms of exclusion. Alongside us, employees who are committed on a daily basis to diversity and social inclusion contribute to a fairer world”, affirms Caroline Courtin, Group Head of Diversity and Inclusion BNP Paribas.

It should be noted that the match within the women’s team championship, in which the national teams of Ukraine and Japan will compete for places in the qualification of the Billy Jean King Cup Final 2022, will take place in Ukraine in Chornomorsk on April 16-17 at the Elite Tennis Club. Application of the national team of Ukraine: Elina Svitolina, Marta Kostyuk, Katarina Zavatska, Lyudmila Kichenok, Nadiya Kichenok. The team captain is Mykhailo Filima.

More information by link.