Tennis-Rivals on court, friends off it: US ready to face Ukraine in BJK clash

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup - Finals - O2 Arena, Prague, Czech Republic - November 5, 2021 Danielle Collins of the U.S. reacts in her match against Russian Tennis Federation's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during the semi final REUTERS/David W Cerny

(Reuters) - While there will be no let up in intensity on the court when the United States host Ukraine next week seeking a place in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in November, there will be a great deal of camaraderie off it between the players.

The April 15-16 tie in Asheville, North Carolina will be held against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special operation".