Routliffe backs young Kiwis to play with pride in Billie Jean King Cup

Erin Routliffe says New Zealand’s young Billie Jean King Cup team is embracing the challenge of facing world-class opposition in Poland this week and believes the experience will accelerate the development of the country’s best young players.

New Zealand will take on hosts Poland and Romania in the Play-offs, marking the nation’s first appearance at this level in 30 years. 

The team features three rising Kiwi talents, Elyse Tse, Jade Otway and Vivian Yang, alongside Routliffe, who will anchor New Zealand’s doubles line-up.

Speaking from Poland, Routliffe said preparations had been positive and energising.

“The court is really nice. The venue seems nice, just like an indoor European court, normal bouncing, pretty fast but high bouncing,” Routliffe said.

“We have a great team. Obviously, a young team besides me, even though I hope I’m not too old yet! 

It’s cool that they’ve all either just graduated college or are in college. I went the college route too, so hopefully we can all bond over that. We’ve had two really good practices, so I think we’re all pretty excited.”

New Zealand is without its top singles player, Lulu Sun, who was ruled out with injury. 

Her absence means the young Kiwis are likely to be thrust straight into high-pressure singles matches, including, potentially, a showdown with world No 2 Iga Świątek when New Zealand meets Poland.

Routliffe acknowledges Sun’s injury is a blow, but says the moment offers something just as valuable.

“Obviously, it wasn’t good timing. In tennis, injuries happen, so it was not ideal,” she said. “Whoever plays singles for us is going to gain a lot of experience and have a really great opportunity to show what they’re made of.

“In the Billie Jean King Cup, there are results that happen where ranking doesn’t matter as much, it’s who shows up and who competes the hardest. We’re going to represent our country with pride, and we’re all excited.”

Though she will focus on doubles, where she has built a world-class career, Routliffe says she hopes to make an important contribution this week off the court.

“That’s what I hope to bring to the table. I’ve told them all I hope they know it’s a safe space to ask me whatever, and to come to me with any worries, any questions, any advice they’re looking for,” she said.

“Being on those really big stages already, I’ve had a lot of experience doing that and playing those big-name players, and being successful against them. 

“We have a good culture, and I think we’re going to fight really hard. No matter what happens, we’re going to play with pride.”

Routliffe, 30, has also addressed her split from long-time doubles partner Gaby Dabrowski, the partnership that produced two US Open titles and a WTA Finals triumph.

“We had a really amazing business partnership that I’m really grateful for, and I think she is too,” she said. “We had a great run together. Sometimes things end, so it’s ending, and that’s really all there is to it.”

“I’ve said many times that I’m so grateful to her for taking the chance on me two and a half years ago, because my ranking was much lower than hers,” she said. 

“I think she saw the potential in us together, which I think we accomplished. It totally changed my life.

“I still feel like I’m playing really well, and I’m excited for next year and for the rest of my career. 

“It was an incredible partnership. We started as business partners, but at the end of the day we built a friendship, which is really nice. So I’ll still have that on tour, which is awesome.”