Switzerland will begin their Billie Jean King Cup defence in Seville against the United States and Czech Republic ©Getty Images

Reigning champions Switzerland are set to begin the defence of their Billie Jean King Cup title by clashing with the United States and Czech Republic in Group A, after the draw for this year's Finals was made.

The Swiss won the 2022 edition of the flagship women's team tennis tournament in Glasgow and will be bidding to retain it at this year's Finals in Seville in November.

Group B has seen last year's runners-up Australia placed in Group B with Kazakhstan and Slovenia, following the draw made by the International Tennis Federation today in London.

Hosts Spain, Canada and Poland will play in Group C and France, Italy and Germany have been placed in Group D.

The venue for the Finals in Seville is still to be confirmed but group matches will take place between November 7 and 10.

All four group winners will advance to the semi-finals on November 11, before the final on November 12.

Matches are played using a best-of-three format with two singles contests and a doubles scheduled.

The Fed Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup after the American 12-time Grand Slam champion in 2020 ©Getty Images
The Fed Cup was renamed the Billie Jean King Cup after the American 12-time Grand Slam champion in 2020 ©Getty Images

The Billie Jean King Cup was previously called the Fed Cup, before a rebrand in 2020 in honour of the legendary American player, winner of 39 Grand Slam titles, including 12 in singles. 

A revamped format which sees several teams play the Finals in the same location will be held for the third time this year.

Countries previously played knockout ties during the year, leading up to a final between the surviving two sides.

This year's event will mark the 60th anniversary of the tournament first played in London in 1963.

Under the hosting agreement, Seville will be the tournament's location for at least the next two years, with the option to extend into a third year.

The Billie Jean King Cup is now in the third year of its new format which sees several countries qualify for the Finals ©Getty Images
The Billie Jean King Cup is now in the third year of its new format which sees several countries qualify for the Finals ©Getty Images

The draw has also been made for the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs, with countries hoping to advance to the 2024 qualifiers for he Finals.

Losing teams will be relegated to regional Group I events.

Slovakia will host Argentina with Belgium welcoming Hungary and Sweden travelling to Britain.

Brazil will welcome South Korea, Romania will visit Serbia, Japan will host Colombia and Austria will entertain Mexico.

Ukraine have been drawn at home to the Netherlands and organisers have pledged to work with the Ukrainian Tennis Federation to confirm a venue amid Russia's invasion of the country.

Playoff matches will be a best-of-five format, with four singles matches and a doubles.