Barbora Strycova Named Captain of Czech Billie Jean King Cup Team for 2026

Barbora Strycova, a former doubles World No. 1 and two-time Wimbledon champion, is set to take over the captaincy of the Czech Billie Jean King Cup team in 2026. This announcement was made by the Czech national tennis federation on June 9, 2025. Strycova will succeed Petr Pala, who has held the position since December 2007 and led the team to multiple world titles.

Strycova, now 39 years old, was an integral member of five Billie Jean King Cup title-winning teams during her career, contributing to Czechia’s status as the second-most successful nation in the history of the competition, which was formerly known as the Fed Cup. Pala's tenure culminated with the team's impressive performance over the years, securing championships in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018.

In her new role, Strycova aims to build on the legacy left by Pala. "Playing tennis is quite different from leading the [BJK Cup] team," she remarked in a statement to Czech media, emphasizing her commitment to guiding the team towards further successes. Strycova’s leadership will add to a growing list of former WTA stars taking on captaincy roles; notable figures include Lindsay Davenport for the United States and Ai Sugiyama for Japan.

Strycova’s illustrious career includes winning a total of 32 doubles titles and two singles trophies. She also earned a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics alongside her compatriot Lucie Safarova. After retiring in 2021 to start a family, Strycova made a triumphant return to tennis for a final season in 2023, culminating in her second Wimbledon doubles title with partner Hsieh Su-wei.

The transition in leadership marks a significant moment for the Czech team, which has established itself as a powerhouse in women's team tennis. As Strycova prepares for her captaincy role, the team looks forward to new opportunities and challenges in the upcoming Billie Jean King Cup seasons. The implications of her leadership can potentially reshape the team's dynamics and strategy as they compete on the international stage.