Jonathan Jurejko, the BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Malaga, brings us the latest on the BJK Cup semi-finals. In 2022, when Emma Raducanu was starting her life as a full-time WTA Tour player, she labeled herself a “loner”. This raised doubts about integrating the 2021 US Open champion into the Great Britain team. In a sport where players mostly operate as sole traders, switching from individual glory to a common goal is challenging. However, British captain Anne Keothavong has successfully bonded her players, especially Raducanu and Katie Boulter, which has been crucial for the nation's run to the Billie Jean King Cup semi-finals.

Instilling Camaraderie and Personal Reflection

Keothavong takes great satisfaction in instilling a strong sense of camaraderie among her team. Recalling her relationship with former British team-mate Elena Baltacha, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 30, her voice wavered with emotion. In the late 2000s and early 2010s, they competed for the top British spot and had their differences. But as adults, they were able to reflect on how they could have been better. Spending time being angry with each other seemed unnecessary.During their time in Malaga, the mood in the British camp has been far from tense. When they couldn't leave the hotel due to heavy rain and flash flooding, they kept their spirits high with games of spikeball and a yoga session. They also celebrated Raducanu's 22nd birthday together, with balloons and banners outside her bedroom door in the morning and a candlelit chocolate cake in the evening. The camaraderie was further strengthened with some “inside jokes” running through the camp.

Leading from the Front and Team Dynamics

While Raducanu and Boulter have been leading, Keothavong emphasizes that the team is more than just a double act. Harriet Dart, Heather Watson, and Olivia Nicholls have all contributed in the run to the 2022 semi-finals. Watson is described as the “life and soul” of the group, and Nicholls is behind a lot of the “banter”. Keothavong compares it to leaving her children at home and wondering what they are up to.In the BJK Cup, Raducanu led Britain into the 12-nation knockout stage by winning both her matches against France in April, with Boulter providing the other point. In Malaga, neither has dropped a set in the best-of-three wins over Germany and Canada. Raducanu, who had a two-month foot injury before this event, said the more she plays the Billie Jean King Cup, the more she enjoys it and feels the stakes are high in a relaxed and exciting way. Against Slovakia, they are favorites to reach the final against Italy or Poland. Even if they lose, it has been a credible run considering their low ranking and Raducanu's fitness uncertainty.“Being able to captain this team is a huge privilege for me,” said Keothavong. “But the job is far from over.”