McKinney will host top Ukrainian women’s tennis players Nov. 16-17 as part of the Billie Jean King Cup, an international women’s tennis competition.
Ukraine’s team will play Austria at the Courts of McKinney at Gabe Nesbitt Park in the play-off. This best-of-five match series is one of eight in November held worldwide.
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“McKinney has always been a community that values hospitality and coming together to support one another,” Mayor George Fuller stated in a news 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.”
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The series begins Saturday with two singles matches, according to the news release. Two reverse singles matches and a doubles match will follow on Sunday. If a team wins in the third or fourth singles match, the schedule will be amended.
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Tickets to the matches are available through the city’s website. Proceeds will support the Svitolina Foundation and the Bush-Wikse ACE Outreach Program, which help youth access tennis programs and equipment.
The series winner will advance to the Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier by Gainbridge next April, according to the news release.
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Anna Popovchenko is the director of the Svitolina Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina to support youth and tennis in Ukraine. The foundation manages the Ukrainian women’s national team in the Billie Jean King Cup and selected McKinney as the host, according to a statement.
“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,” reads a statement from Popovchenko, also a board member of the Ukrainian Tennis Federation. “Having a welcoming home base where our team feels embraced and uplifted means so much to us. This warm gesture of solidarity reminds us that we are not alone.”
The Billie Jean King Cup Play-off will be the first time McKinney hosts an international tennis event of this scale, according to a news release from the city.
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The Courts of McKinney has 26 outdoor tennis and pickleball courts and opened an $11 million indoor facility last year.
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“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,” reads a statement from Aaron Werner, the director of Visit McKinney. “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.”
McKinney is planning another world sporting event in 2026. In October, the city council heard a request to use public land for a 2026 World Cup soccer training site. The Dallas-Fort Worth area will host nine World Cup matches, including a semifinal.