Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

paulisi · Tennis legend

RE: Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

philwrig wrote:
Coup Droit wrote:
paulisi wrote:
I have a bit of a concern about Joko as well. Apart from all the travelling and jet lag, there will be the mental fatigue as well.

With Jo and Hev we were nailed on to get through. With Jo's situation, I'm not so sure now.

I wondered if that was connected to Freya's change of plans.
i.e. I didn't think Freya would change anything to be (another) hitting partner.
But if one of the players was actually dropping out (which JoKo might, all things considered), then it would be more likely that Freya, maybe, would take her place in the squad.
With Laura not making the trip maybe they have asked Freya to come along like Katie for the experience.

Laura's not going now? Injured again? I would have thought it would be good to get some good hitting practice and be with the rest of the team for her.

philwrig · Hall of fame

Haha, you cynic, not sure, according to Stu Fraser it's so she can focus on her latest comeback. But you do wonder why she put her name forward in the 1st place, when it seemed she would be far from ready to perform at the level required.

philwrig · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
Katy isn't down to play during this week - a late withdrawal for Glasgow. Tara is still down for Grenoble.

The plot thickens !

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

philwrig wrote:
Haha, you cynic, not sure, according to Stu Fraser it's so she can focus on her latest comeback. But you do wonder why she put her name forward in the 1st place, when it seemed she would be far from ready to perform at the level required.

Guilty as charged but I do think that she'd get better hitting and vibes etc with the team as well as giving them her great groundies to practice against. I've been to theses 10/25k tournies and sometimes you struggle to get a decent hit. Pair that with only getting one or two matches and Fed cup seems like a good choice for everyone to me. I thought she was just going in a practice role. I wasn't seriously thinking of her in a match - well unless she was totally amazing in practice and others dropped out.

It's a long way to go though I guess.

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

philwrig wrote:
paulisi wrote:
Katy isn't down to play during this week - a late withdrawal for Glasgow. Tara is still down for Grenoble.
The plot thickens !

Only if you lisp.

paulisi · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
Haha, you cynic, not sure, according to Stu Fraser it's so she can focus on her latest comeback. But you do wonder why she put her name forward in the 1st place, when it seemed she would be far from ready to perform at the level required.

I wouldn't be surprised if her sponsors have got her a superbowl ticket(being a big Panthers fan) and she used the excuse about travelling half way round the world for a hit is a waste of time, when she can do that on her doorstep.

philwrig · Hall of fame

paulisi wrote:
philwrig wrote:
Haha, you cynic, not sure, according to Stu Fraser it's so she can focus on her latest comeback. But you do wonder why she put her name forward in the 1st place, when it seemed she would be far from ready to perform at the level required.
I wouldn't be surprised if her sponsors have got her a superbowl ticket(being a big Panthers fan) and she used the excuse about travelling half way round the world for a hit is a waste of time, when she can do that on her doorstep.

Super Bowl being a week on Sunday, that would not be a big surprise.

PaulM · Tennis legend

We should still top our group with a Katy or Katie in at number 2 if necessary but would make the Saturday play off tougher.

Problem with the squad as is that you can't even give Jo the first day off (although being in a 3 team group not playing day 1 gives her an extra day anyway).

This is where Naomi making herself available would have been invaluable but I guess her decision is unlikely to change in years to come.

Having said that, despite beingnoticeably not committal, i think Jo will play.

-- Edited by PaulM on Thursday 28th of January 2016 04:41:18 PM

paulisi · Tennis legend

The big issue was picking two specialist doubles players - a third singles player and a specialist doubles player would not have been a problem in this instance

paulisi · Tennis legend

The other problem you have with Jo is the jet lag.

If she has a direct flight from Aus to Israel today/tomorrow it is a 15 hr journey.

If she is flying back to London, it will be 21/22hrs and then 5 hrs back the other way.

Good job she hasn't got anything scheduled until Acapulco....

indiana · Tennis legend

PaulM wrote:
We should still top our group with a Katy or Katie in at number 2 if necessary but would make the Saturday play off tougher.

Problem with the squad as is that you can't even give Jo the first day off (although being in a 3 team group not playing day 1 gives her an extra day anyway).

This is where Naomi making herself available would have been invaluable but I guess her decision is unlikely to change in years to come.
Having said that, despite beingnoticeably not committal, i think Jo will play.

-- Edited by PaulM on Thursday 28th of January 2016 04:41:18 PM

Yes, while ideally I'd generally go with three singles players and one specialist doubles player for Fed Cup week, Naomi bring unavailable leaves us very lacking for a third player for the ( we would hope! ) Saturday play-off match. So to me the team selection made sense, boosted by Jossanna's form at the Aussie Open

Jet lag should not be an significant issue for Jo with GB not starting until next Thursday, just an initial travel effect for when she gets fully into practice, and I'm sure she won't mind a little rest anyway after her Aussie Open run.

Unless any injury, I fully expect Jo to play.

wimdledont · Challenger level

Relax. If she's got the slightest injury worry, she was doing a fine job of hiding it, and lying about it afterwards. She's only played 6 matches, 13 sets, in a fortnight, followed by nearly a full week off. She cried tears of joy when she finally got her passport, and according to her WTA bio, her best tennis memory is playing FedCup for the UK. She'll play.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Kanepi out.

Nice experience for Freya to travel with the team

WavenNarsam · Lower Club Player

Does anyone know if there will be a live stream of any matches?