The gist
The event, one of eight playoff matches held worldwide in November for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge, will feature top women’s tennis players from Ukraine and Austria.
"McKinney has always been a community that values hospitality and coming together to support one another," Mayor George Fuller said in the release. "While Ukraine is dealing with a terrible war that prevents the team from playing on their home courts, McKinney proudly steps in as a surrogate host.”
The competition will be a best-of-five match series, including two singles matches Nov. 16 and two reverse singles matches as well as a doubles match Nov. 17. Potential schedule amendments are possible pending match results, the release states.
The winner of the series will compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier by Gainbridge in April 2025, the release states.
Diving in deeper
The event will take place at The Courts of McKinney at Gabe Nesbitt Park, which saw the addition of a 55,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility in mid-2023. The facility features 22 lighted outdoor tennis courts and six indoor tennis courts, as well as outdoor pickleball courts.
"This international event reflects McKinney's dedication to fostering sports tourism and enhancing our city's profile as a premier destination for world-class events," Visit McKinney Director Aaron Werner said in the release. "We're proud to welcome athletes and fans from around the globe, who will not only experience our exceptional facilities and hospitality but also contribute to our local economy by staying in our hotels, dining in our restaurants, and shopping in our stores."
The location was selected by the Svitolina Foundation, a charitable organization that works to support young tennis players in Ukraine and also manages the Ukrainian women’s national team in the Billie Jean King Cup, according to a news release. The event is being held in partnership with the Bush Tennis Center, and benefitting the organization’s outreach efforts to support youth tennis involvement.
“We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from the City of McKinney, Visit McKinney, and the Bush Tennis Center during these challenging times for Ukraine,” said Anna Popovchenko, CEO of the Svitolina Foundation and board member of the Ukrainian Tennis Federation, in a news release. “This warm gesture of solidarity reminds us that we are not alone, and we are confident that the McKinney community and its sports fans will make us feel at home.”
Get involved
Tickets and VIP packages are available for purchase for both days of the event, ranging from $35-$95 per ticket.
Ticket sales will support the Svitolina Foundation as well as the Bush-Wikse ACE Outreach Program, which both support youth through providing access to tennis programs and equipment. To learn more or buy tickets, visit www.billiejeankingcup.com/en/tickets.
For more information about The Courts of McKinney, visit www.impactactivities.com/mckinney.
