Iga Swiatek to bring Polish fire to Billie Jean King Cup playoffs

It feels like every time Iga Swiatek pulls on Poland’s red and white, there’s a certain electricity in the air.

This November, that spark returns as the former World No. 1 headlines her country’s campaign in the Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs, set to take place November 14–16.

The event may technically mark the close of the season, but for Swiatek, it’s one more chance to finish the year on home soil, and on her own terms.

Less than a month after Italy celebrated back-to-back Billie Jean King Cup titles, the focus shifts to the next wave of competition. Seven playoff groups, each featuring three nations, will battle it out at venues across the globe.

The top team in each group will advance to the 2026 Qualifiers, keeping their dreams alive for a spot in next year’s eight-nation Finals.

For Swiatek, this playoff carries extra meaning. After missing April’s qualifier against Switzerland and Ukraine, she’s back to lead Poland in Group B, hosted in Gorzow Wielkopolski on indoor hard courts.

There, Poland will face Romania and New Zealand in front of what’s expected to be a fiercely supportive home crowd. Swiatek couldn’t hide her excitement when she announced her return on Instagram.

“See you in Gorzow Wielkopolski! I’m happy to share this news, I’ll be playing in the Billie Jean King Cup playoffs. It’ll be a great end to the season, playing for my country and in my country, in front of Polish fans.”

Her words capture more than enthusiasm as they reflect the national pride that has long defined her approach to team competition. Swiatek has always spoken about how representing Poland gives her a different kind of motivation.

And for a player who has already claimed six Grand Slam titles and finished another dominant year on tour, the opportunity to close 2025 with her teammates adds a personal dimension to her story.

Across the other groups, the depth of international talent is striking. Denmark’s Clara Tauson, ranked inside the Top 20, will lead her nation in Monterrey, where they’ll take on Canada, represented by 19-year-old rising star Victoria Mboko, and host nation Mexico.

Czechia’s Linda Noskova, fresh off her China Open run, spearheads her country’s Group D lineup against Colombia and Croatia in Varazdin.

Other notable names slated to compete include Australia’s Maya Joint, Colombia’s Camila Osorio, Croatia’s Donna Vekic, Germany’s Laura Siegemund, Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse, and Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova.

Each tie will be decided by three matches — two singles and one doubles — all best-of-three tiebreak sets. It’s a format that rewards depth and resilience, the kind of tennis that can turn into a three-day emotional marathon for players and fans alike.