McKinney, Texas (August 7, 2024) – The Courts McKinney – A 28 Court world-class tennis center located northeast of Dallas, Texas – will be the location for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-off Tie between Ukraine and Austria from November 16-17, 2024. The Svitolina Foundation, which manages the Ukrainian women's national team in the Billie Jean King Cup, selected the Courts McKinney as the new host site for the tie. The Courts McKinney, an award-winning tennis and pickleball center, features 22 lighted outdMcKinney, Texas (August 8, 2024) – The Courts McKinney – A 28 Court world class

tennis center located northeast of Dallas, Texas – will be the location for the Billie Jean

King Cup by Gainbridge Play-off Tie between Ukraine and Austria from November 16-

17, 2024.McKinney, Texas (August 8, 2024) – The Courts McKinney – A 28 Court world-class tennis center located northeast of Dallas, Texas – will be the location for the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Play-off Tie between Ukraine and Austria from November 16-17, 2024.

The Svitolina Foundation, which manages the Ukrainian women's national team in the Billie Jean King Cup, selected the Courts McKinney as the new host site for the tie. The Courts McKinney, award-winning tennis and pickleball center, features 22 lighted outdoor tennis courts and 6 indoor courts and has served as host to numerous national and sectional tournaments.

“I am so excited to be part of this opportunity at Courts McKinney to bring a world-class international tennis event back to North Texas,” said Elina Svitolina, the top-ranked Ukrainian player and former world no. 3. “Of course, our dream would be holding our home tie in Ukraine, as it has always been, but during the war, it is not possible. Bush Tennis Center has been an amazing supporter and partner of the Svitolina Foundation, and to have them again supporting our team for the tie as the co-organizing party of the Ukrainian Billie Jean King Cup team means a lot. We hope that many people can come out and support us as we take on Austria and really help us create a home atmosphere.”

President George W. Bush praised the positive impact of the partnership between the Svitolina Foundation and Bush Tennis Center in 2019 when the partnership was formed. “Laura and I recognize WTA Finals Champion Elina Svitolina for her accomplishments on the court and for her remarkable work with the Bush Tennis Center to help children in need. These efforts are inspiring and show that much can be achieved when we work together for a greater cause,” said President George W. Bush, 43rd President of The United States of America.

The competition will be a best-of-five match series with the top women’s players from Ukraine and Austria competing to advance to the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers by Gainbridge. The event is one of eight held around the world in November, with the winners of each advancing to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifiers next April. The tie begins Saturday, November 16th, with two singles matches featuring each country’s top two players. Two reverse singles matches and a doubles match will follow on Sunday, November 17th, with an amended schedule possible if one nation clinches victory in the third or fourth singles match. The official team dinner and sponsor party honoring the Ukrainian and Austrian Billie Jean King Cup teams will take place on November 14th at 6 pm at The Bush Center located on the campus of Southern Methodist University.

“The Courts McKinney is a fantastic venue for both teams to compete,” said Tim Stallard, tie co-organizer and Executive Director of Bush Tennis Center. “It is an honor to host the Ukrainian Billie Jean King Cup team during this difficult time in which they cannot play their home ties in Ukraine. The Bush Tennis Center is proud to partner with the Svitolina Foundation to help support children’s tennis and outreach programs from Odessa, Texas to Odesa, Ukraine. This will be a great opportunity for North Texas tennis fans to watch some of the best players in the world compete in the ‘World Cup of Tennis’ while helping support a great cause.”

Tickets and VIP hospitality packages will go on sale to the public on August 17 at 9 am. More information, including a final schedule and confirmed players, will be announced soon. 100% of the proceeds from the tie will benefit the Svitolina Foundation and the Bush-Wikse ACE Outreach Program, helping children worldwide with access to tennis equipment, programs, and other resources.

For media inquiries, or information on corporate or individual sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tim Stallard at tim@bushtenniscenter.org or (512) 576-4796.

For more information on the event visit: www.billiejeankingcup.com

About Svitolina Foundation:

A charitable organization that has been working hard since 2019 to identify and support young talent and create the right conditions for them to ensure the future of Ukrainian tennis. Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion, the Svitolina Foundation has launched new areas of activity: assistance to athletes and their families fleeing the war, a psychological support program for athletes, sports diplomacy, and a series of tournaments with grants of support for Ukrainian children.

About Bush-Wikse ACE Outreach Program:

The Bush-Wikse ACE Outreach Program is a non-profit organization honoring the legacy of President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush, and Hall-of-Fame Coach Patrick Wikse, to Advise, Counsel, and Encourage (ACE) youth by connecting positive role models and resources through the sport of tennis. In addition to learning the sport of tennis, ACE promotes core values of sportsmanship, integrity, self-confidence, and hard work.