Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

wimdledont · Challenger level

RE: Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Yes. Called it

Good luck to 'em all.

AliBlahBlah · All-time great

Just to reconfirm: commentating on Jamie's final for R5LSX, Simon Briggs of the Telegraph says he's been given the nod that Johanna will definitely be playing a full part.

philwrig · Hall of fame

1st report from downtown Eilat :

Been making my way from a chilly Newcastle via Geneva and Tel Aviv to finally arrive here about an hour ago. Bumped into team GB at Tel Aviv airport where Judy told me the unbelievable news about Jamie, last I'd heard they were one set down. 1st practice will be tomorrow afternoon most likely. The South African team were on my flight to Eilat, and were right beside me at the luggage claim. Eilat arrivals must be one of the tiniest in the world, not much bigger than my living room at home.

-- Edited by philwrig on Saturday 30th of January 2016 06:05:15 PM

Jan · Hall of fame

Thanks Phil.
Have a great time!

Oakland2002 · All-time great

It should be a great week.

paulisi · Tennis legend

Has Jo arrived? I didn't see her in the team picture.

I've not been to Eilat for a long time 15+ years, but my memories of the airport matched the comments above.

philwrig · Hall of fame

No Jo, I expect she's coming later in the week. Just had a walk up to the tennis centre, it's not that far, but it's a steep trek, might take the bus the next time lol.

PaulM · Tennis legend

Jo's out. "Intestinal problem".

Should win group, but play-off a big ask

paulisi · Tennis legend

Freya or Katie to step in?

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

PaulM wrote:
Jo's out. "Intestinal problem".

Should win group, but play-off a big ask

Gutted but not surprised.

indiana · Tennis legend

To me it is a bit of a shock and I am sure due to a perfectly genuine problem.

It has been very clear that Jo really likes representing GB.

Radio 5 Live says an intestinal problem that got progressively worse during the Australian Open.

Having just three singles players in the top 300 ( all top 100 or nearly so ) is a bit of a problem when there are the issues causing Naomi not to be there and then Jo pulls out.

As said GB should still win that lovely group and probably must hope Heather and the doubles pair can rise to make two wins in the play-off. Heather at #1 will likely have a tough match and so too certainly will Katie or Freya at #2 , but what an unexpected opportunity.

At least one or both will no doubt play in the group phase before that anticipated play-off.

-- Edited by indiana on Sunday 31st of January 2016 08:00:33 PM

insomniacfolder · Challenger level

The official statement doesn't add much useful.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

PaulM wrote:
Jo's out. "Intestinal problem".

Should win group, but play-off a big ask

I don't believe the intestinal problem either.

Which is absolutely no criticism of Jo.

She must be tired and in sore need of 'down time' to process what's happened and get ready for the next adventure. No one's a machine.

Good luck to the team !

philwrig · Hall of fame

Gutting news about Jo, had no inclination that this was going to happen. But to defend Jo if I remember correctly she had a similar issue during the summer last year when she pulled out of an event.

We can still pull through with Belgium being without Wickmayer, in all probability though both Hev and Joss/Anna will have to win. Having a good time here but with missing out on both Laura and Jo I feel I've been a little short changed if you know what I mean.

Very impressed with Katie today, I know it's only practice, but she really has a very bright future, she was clearly holding her own whilst practicing with Hev, if you had not known their respective rankings you'd have thought they were of similar ability. At the start of the practice she was misfiring badly (Lauraesque) but she warmed to the task very quickly. Solid at the net as well. Hev still looking for a long term coach, quite rightly not rushing into a big decision.

Non tennis related stuff, made a massive rookie error with regards to the exchange rate. I was thinking everything's bargain basement, when in fact taxis/ meals out very expensive. Instead of dividing everything by 5 ( shekels to pounds ) I've been dividing by 10, daft as you like !