Ten percent of the ticket revenue generated from April’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifying tie in Asheville, N.C. between the host U.S. squad and visiting Ukrainian team will go towards the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund by Global Giving, USTA announced Friday.
Local sponsors will also join in the cause and attending fans will be encouraged to donate through several activations at the Harrah’s Cherokee Center – Asheville. The matchup between the two nations will take place on April 15-16, as the Americans look to begin their quest for a 19th title.
Danielle Collins, who withdrew from Indian Wells with injury, is slated to lead the charge. In addition to this year's Australian Open finalist, Jessica Pegula, Sloane Stephens, Shelby Rogers and doubles standout Desirae Krawczyk round out the lineup.
Ukraine is anchored by its most established player, Elina Svitolina. Joining forces with the former WTA Finals champion are Marta Kostyuk, Katarina Zavatska and the twin sister doubles duo of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kichenok.
The U.S. last lifted the trophy five years ago in captain Kathy Rinaldi’s first year at the helm. Rogers and Stephens were both members of that winning team—one that saw CoCo Vandeweghe go undefeated throughout the 2017 competition at 8-0 across singles and doubles.