Canada claims first-ever Billie Jean King Cup title

The GIST: Cue Queen because Canada made history in Spain yesterday, winning their first-ever Billie Jean King Cup title and claiming a chunk of the record-setting $9.6M purse (not to mention the iconic “Billie Blue” jackets) in the process.

The road to the final: The Canadians swept their way to a first-place round-robin opening group-stage finish with wins over Spain and Poland before defeating 11-time champion Czechia in the semifinals courtesy of a doubles match victory by Leylah Annie Fernandez and Gabriela Dabrowski.

Yesterday’s final: The upset set the stage for 18-year-old breakout star Marina Stakusic — who made headlines with key wins early in the tournament — and the aforementioned Fernandez to dazzle in their straight-set singles victories over Italy, securing the trophy for the red and white. Proud is an understatement.