Fed Cup 2019 - Euro/Africa Zone Group 1 - Bath, GB

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

RE: Fed Cup 2019 - Euro/Africa Zone Group 1 - Bath, GB

Wakey · Junior player

flamingowings wrote:
markymc1983 wrote:
does Jo suffer from panic attacks? that looked like one to me
There was something at the USO a few years back. There was also Eastbourne(?) Where someone in the crowd fainted or took ill which affected her. Jo seems a bit high strung at times, might be the emotional toll. She knows that her winning - at home no less - is Quite A Big Thing.

They did mention that both Boulter, Swan and Dart had been dealing with illness (Perhaps related to Heathers or maybe something else) so perhaps that could have been a factor with Jo too. I do feel with Jo when the combination of conditions and situation are right it can cause physical and mental exhaustion with her and when she hits that wall she is prone to a bit of a panic attack which is how she described what happened at the USO

ROSAMUND · Futures level

Jo was playing her 3rd long match in 3 days so no wonder she would have felt mentally or physically tired. The final set against Krunic was the most dramatic set of tennis I have been present at. At the end of the day Jo did herself, the team and the country proud.

daisy · County player

Does anyone know what is the minimum size of venue for the next round in April?
Not got my head around Fed Cup rulebook just yet ...

the addict · Tennis legend

Appendix F of the rulebook

4. Minimum Seating Capacity
Minimum spectator capacity of 4,000 seats (exceptions may be made for World Group and World Group II First Round and Play-off Ties).

Doesn't really help, does it ! I'm sure the LTA will want to exceed that anyway if it can be arranged.

RedSquirrel · Satellite level

According to Mike Dickson for the Mail, the Copper Box is the LTA's target with Bolton Arena as a second choice. The Copper Box would have a capacity of 5,000.

daisy · County player

RedSquirrel wrote:
According to Mike Dickson for the Mail, the Copper Box is the LTA's target with Bolton Arena as a second choice. The Copper Box would have a capacity of 5,000.

Copper Box apparently has a Basketball match booked on Sunday 21st April.

Bolton might be too small.

The LTA may have other ideas but if DC ties are anything to go by that might be optimism on my part.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Bolton Arena wouldn't be too bad. I think something like 7 or 8,000 would be a ideal for this and I was surprised to see wiki has it down as 6,000 capacity. I was expecting a round 3,000.

Northern England gets very little tennis. Wimbledon, O2, Queens, Eastbourne are all in the south, Glasgow has had a fair few DC ties over the years and there's nothing north of Nottingham apart from Ilkley Challenger.

The only snag would be it's not as asseccible as a major city like Manchester, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool etc.

We obviously need to get that home draw first though...

RedSquirrel · Satellite level

RedSquirrel wrote:

The rankings explained isn't particularly helpful, but from looking at points awarded in previous years and making the assumption that February matches drop down a weighting level and not taking into account any bonus points I think the seeds are

1 Russia
2 Netherlands
3 Great Britain
4 Slovakia

But don't hold me to that

These are the confirmed seeds. smile

the addict · Tennis legend

RedSquirrel wrote:
The rankings explained isn't particularly helpful, but from looking at points awarded in previous years and making the assumption that February matches drop down a weighting level and not taking into account any bonus points I think the seeds are

1 Russia
2 Netherlands
3 Great Britain
4 Slovakia

But don't hold me to that

Spot on, now officially announced, with the drw at noon tomorrow.

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Brazil H
Kazakhstan H
Japan H
Brazil A
Kazakhstan A

would be my preference. I'd probably take any of the first 4 to be honest. Kazakhstan A would be a bit poor. We'd probably have more chance of winning Brazil A than Japan H, but I just want a home tie.

wolf · Tennis legend

Ace Ventura wrote:
Brazil H
Kazakhstan H
Japan H
Brazil A
Kazakhstan A

would be my preference. I'd probably take any of the first 4 to be honest. Kazakhstan A would be a bit poor. We'd probably have more chance of winning Brazil A than Japan H, but I just want a home tie.

And Italy home or away?

Ace Ventura · Tennis legend

Oops, forgot about them:

Brazil H
Kazakhstan H
Italy H
Japan H
Brazil A

Kazakhstan A
Italy A

That would be on the dirt as well, so think Italy away would be the worst option but still good news overall. No Russia or Bertens away to have to contend with.

Actually, maybe Italy at home ahead of Kazakhstan because after Giorgi, they are not too strong.

-- Edited by Ace Ventura on Monday 11th of February 2019 03:49:05 PM

PaulM · Tennis legend

Gosh we are seeded, hadn't expected that. Kazakhstan have a tough team.

We'll probably get Brazil away.

JonH · All-time great

Apologies if someone has posted this, do we have history with any of the nation's we could play that would impact venue in April,?