Tennis - Billie Jean King Cup Finals - Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain - November 8, 2023 Former player Billie Jean King poses with the trophy REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo/File Photo
MALAGA, Spain (Reuters) - The Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Malaga which were due to begin on Wednesday were postponed after Spanish authorities issued a red weather alert for extreme rain and flooding in parts of the country, the International Tennis Federation said.
Two weeks after the worst floods in Spain's modern history killed more than 200 people, thousands have been evacuated in the Costa del Sol region of southern Spain as the new weather front is expected to bring torrential rain and low temperatures.
"Due to a severe weather alert issued by local and regional authorities, the 2024 BJK Cup Finals first round tie between Spain and Poland, originally scheduled for today, November 13 at 5 PM, has been postponed. The tie will now take place on Friday, November 15, starting at 10 AM," the ITF said in a statement on Wednesday.
"This decision has been made based on guidance from the relevant authorities to ensure the health and safety of all participants and attendees. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and cooperation."
Hosts Spain were scheduled to begin the tournament against Iga Swiatek's Poland as twelve teams assembled in Andalusia to battle for the title won last year for the first time by Canada.
The last couple of days of the BJK Cup would overlap with the men's Davis Cup Finals in the same venue next week, when Spanish great Rafael Nadal is expected to play his last tournament before retiring.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
