Erin Routliffe returns to Billie Jean King Cup team to take on Poland, Romania

Lulu Sun and Erin Routliffe have both been named in the New Zealand Billie Jean King Cup team to take on Poland and Romania in the Play-offs next month.

The team, which also includes Vivian Yang, Jade Otway and Elyse Tse, will travel to Poland for the Billie Jean King round robin Play-offs, where they’ll battle for a place in the 2026 qualifiers.

New Zealand reached the Play-offs for the first time in over 30 years when they finished top of Asia/Oceania Group I in April.

Routliffe, who won the US Open with Gaby Dabrowski last month, wasn’t available to play at that event, but she is back in the team and gives New Zealand’s chances of winning the doubles matches a significant boost.

Sun has been in great form lately, winning nine of her last 10 matches on the WTA Tour as she climbs back up the rankings.

Otway, was recently part of a formidable college team at Texas Christian University and Tse was at Washington State. Yang transferred to University of Virginia for her third year in August.

The team is again captained by Matt Hair, who guided New Zealand to four wins from five ties in India earlier this year, to clinch a place in the Play-offs.

"April was a special milestone for the team. The hard work, belief and unity to reach this stage meant so much,” Hair said.

“Now as we prepare for the Billie Jean Cup Play-offs we are ready to take on the challenge ahead. 

“Finishing top of the group in India proved that we belong here and have the quality to make a real impact at this competition.”

Poland could boast a team that includes Iga Swiatek, Magda Linette and Magdalena Frech for the Play-offs, while Romania has two players ranked inside the top 60 in Jaqueline Christian and Sorana Cirstea.

The event will be played over three days at Arena Gorzow, Gorzow Wielkopolski, Poland from November 14-16.

The ties comprise of three matches – two singles matches followed by a doubles match.

The seven group winners progress to the 2026 qualifiers. The remaining 14 teams will compete in the 2026 Regional Group I events.