Team Canada, presented by Sobeys, is set to compete in the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifiers against Belgium at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, British Columbia, on April 14 and 15. The team, led by captain Heidi El Tabakh, is looking to secure another win, following their 4-0 triumph against Latvia in Vancouver last April.
The match schedule is as follows: Friday, April 14, 2023
- Singles Rubber #1 – 4:00 p.m. Pacific
- Followed by Singles Rubber #2
Saturday, April 15, 2023
- Singles Rubber #3 – 2:00 p.m. Pacific
- Followed by Singles Rubber #4 (if tie is not decided after Singles Rubber #3)
- Followed by Doubles Rubber
Fans can catch the action live at the Pacific Coliseum, or on SN NOW, OLN, and TVA Sports 2. Supporting the Billie Jean King Cup is crucial as it not only showcases the prowess of women in tennis but also inspires the next generation of athletes. Tennis Canada’s Game. Set. Equity. program, in partnership with National Bank, is committed to amplifying the voices of women and girls in the sport, promoting inclusion, and providing opportunities for growth.
Before the qualifiers, Team Canada members Gabriela Dabrowski, Rebecca Marino, and Katherine Sebov took time to share valuable advice with aspiring girl athletes. Sebov, who reached a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 136 this month, emphasized the importance of staying focused on the present. She said, “I focus on one point at a time. Pretend it’s zero-zero. I stop thinking about the future score and think about what I’m going to do to win this point. That’s kind of how you center yourself. At least, that’s what works for me. One shot at a time.”
Dabrowski added, “Instead of thinking about climbing to the top of the mountain, focus on painting it layer by layer. Focus on it point by point, step by step.”
As Team Canada prepares for the Billie Jean King Cup, we wish them the best of luck in their pursuit of victory. Their dedication to the sport and commitment to inspiring the next generation of female tennis players is truly commendable.
Go Team Canada! 🙂
Author: nickt
President of the Vancouver Tennis Society