After a rollercoaster first month of WTA play Down Under, players have scattered across the globe to play for their countries in Fed Cup. The international team competition’s World Group and World Group II first-round ties are set to take place on February 6 and 7, and players have been tweeting up a storm as they’ve reunited with their national teammates.
Here’s who is in action for their country this week (all quotes provided by FedCup.com):
Romania vs Czech Republic
“We are all enjoying the week as we have a great team and the people around us, the doctors, physios and everyone,” said the Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova. “It’s something different a few times in a year.
“So we are always looking forward to this week and I hope it can continue like this and the girls will stay in the team.”
Romania: Simona Halep, Monica Niculescu, Andreea Mitu, Raluca Olaru
Czech Republic: Petra Kvitova, Karolina Pliskova, Barbora Strycova, Denisa Allertova
Germany vs Switzerland
“This is obviously very big for us,” said Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic. “For sure we want to do big things now in Fed Cup and I think we can, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
“Well obviously they have a great team also for many years, they’ve been having great results. Of course it will be very difficult but I think now we also have a very good team and for sure it will be even.”
Germany: Angelique Kerber, Andrea Petkovic, Annika Beck, Anna-Lena Groenefeld, Anna-Lena Friedsam
Switzerland: Belinda Bencic, Timea Bacsinszky, Viktorija Golubic, Martina Hingis
Russia vs Netherlands
“It will definitely be a tough match as always,” said Russia’s Ekaterina Makarova. “Team tennis is always different to a normal tournament. Different emotions, different games from the players.
“We normally do everything by ourselves and there, for one week, we are a little bit more close to each other. We all have a good communication.”
Russia: Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ekaterina Makarova, Daria Kasatkina
Netherlands: Kiki Bertens, Richel Hogenkamp, Cindy Burger, Arantxa Rus
France vs Italy
“We’re really proud of where we are right now,” France’s Kristina Mladenovic said. “We definitely started to believe in our chances. We’re trying to stay humble, but we also have high expectations and goals for this year.”
France: Kristina Mladenovic, Caroline Garcia, Pauline Parmentier, Oceane Dodin
Italy: Sara Errani, Camila Giorgi, Francesca Schiavone, Martina Caregaro
Also in action…
Spain:
Serbia:
Great Britain:
United States:
Puerto Rico:
India:
