Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

wimdledont · Challenger level

RE: Fed Cup 2016 - Europe/Africa Group 1

steven · Tennis legend

indiana wrote:
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.

Freya and Katie can't both play in the group phase if both Anna and Joss are in the team, as they surely will be.

Such a pity Naomi isn't willing to play, though Amanda, Katy and Tara are also all ranked well above Freya and Katie. (I can understand why Judy brought the youngsters out, but did she ever expect them to actually play rather than just gaining experience of being around the team?)

RBBOT · Futures qualifying

indiana wrote:

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

I think only one of them can get promoted into the team. Freya is higher ranked, but Katie is ahead on points per tournament. Interesting to see who is picked.

Jan · Hall of fame

Oh what a shame about Johanna.

indiana · Tennis legend

RBBOT wrote:
indiana wrote:

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

I think only one of them can get promoted into the team. Freya is higher ranked, but Katie is ahead on points per tournament. Interesting to see who is picked.

Yes, good point. I was absent mindedly thinking that they both might have a match in the group, but GB will have to name a team of 4 including no doubt Heather, Joss and Anna. So they will have to commit to the fourth member of the team before the group stage starts.

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Disappointing news that JoKo has pulled out to say the least, as we looked very likely to qualify with a full team. Also, it is such short notice that it doesn't really give Judy much option but to stick with the players who are already out there.

We should still get out the group and we will still have a chance in the final against the Group D winners (Belgium are favourites but by no means certainties in their group).

If it was down to me I would definitely pick Katie over Freya - Katie has really impressed me with her on court composure and I think she would be able to handle the pressure well.

WavenNarsam · Lower Club Player

According to the Fed Cup website, if Katie plays she will be the youngest ever player to represent GB at Fed Cup (currently Anne Keothavong at 17 and 221 days).

It is a shame for Jo and it does cast doubts on the playoffs, but I think we're still easily going to top the group. I would agree with Tony and put Katie in. She's already proven she can rise to the occasion in the Junior Fed Cup where the pressure was very much on her to perform. With little to no pressure on, I think she can get a win or two for sure and perform freely. Reports on the practice session with Heather also gives me confidence she is the better option.

Good luck to whoever is picked anyway.

-- Edited by WavenNarsam on Monday 1st of February 2016 12:21:35 AM

cwej · Lower Club Player

What a shame.

If Freya/Katie doesn't play well in the first two matches but we still make the final is there any chance at all they'd put Anna in for singles instead?

philwrig · Hall of fame

I would thought highly unlikely due to the main fact that she's pivotal for us winning the doubles.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Same old dilemma for us as DC. We want our players to do well individually, but that takes a toll on the body - especially run of six hard matches and the flying JoKo's just had.

Personally I'd like the youngsters to have a go. It'll be great experience for them, and so what if they don't win.

vohor · Grand Slam Champion

It's a great pity about Jo but exciting for Katie (it will be her I'd have thought as she was the original squad pick); getting her a proper blooding so young, assuming it goes well, could be the start of a long and illustrious Fed Cup career :)

DF · Tennis legend

They should be good enough to play if invited by the Captain. We do have others that are higher ranked but were not invited as far as we know.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Yes, but there's a difference in inviting a youngster to get experience of being in the atmosphere (as with Kyle), than to play immediately, in which case an older higher ranked player might have been a better option. However, we are where we are and it's a great opportunity for Katie.

Coup Droit · Tennis legend

Helen40 wrote:
Same old dilemma for us as DC. We want our players to do well individually, but that takes a toll on the body - especially run of six hard matches and the flying JoKo's just had.

Personally I'd like the youngsters to have a go. It'll be great experience for them, and so what if they don't win.

Yes, exactly.

However, if I ran the world (!!! biggrin biggrin ), the first thing I'd do (before tackling poverty and war, naturally) is make Fed Cup and Davis Cup every two years (to be held in alternate years).

It would make it more 'valuable'. mean players were more likely to make the effort if it's a bit 50-50 as to whether they can play or not,and make it way better for fans and spectators because otherwise it just comes around all the time, like there's no break.

And, yes, the youngster(s) are going to have to have a go, because that's all Judy's got - which was (presumably) a risk that she had thought through - Laura was never a 'given' and therefore you only needed either Hev or Joko to be sick or injured (perfectly possible) to have to now rely on the young reserves.

I think either is a far better pick than Anna. I would expect Judy to go with Katie as, I believe, she knows Katie a lot better. But Freya is a very calm, measured person - not at all the sort you'd expect to blow up and go AWOL.

indiana · Tennis legend

I too think Katie will play in spite of hearing all about she was just there for experience and wouldn't play. To me she now looks the best option to do just that, to play.

Without Naomi there aren't really other options that would have stood out, even not there. Rankings should never be a firm determinate and anyway Freya and Katie in particular are clearly very underranked and on the up.

I'd question any of Amanda, Katy D, Tara, Emily or Harriet really being better options. Tara would be the one I suspect in best general form, but not serving as she is.

No, who's there is actually fair enough whatever original motives for being there

-- Edited by indiana on Monday 1st of February 2016 10:39:57 AM