Country Cups (Davis Cup, Fed/BJK Cup)

[ti-amie]

[meganfernandez]

I'm covering BJK Cup in Orlando this week for Tennis.com. I have some stories lined up, but I'm open to ideas from this intelligent tennis community. Unfortunately, Belgium isn't bringing its A team, so the coverage will focus on Americans. I'll interview Lindsay about her first tie as captain - any thoughts from you guys? Any curiosities? I'm also interested in exploring the leadership of American women's tennis with so many veterans doing well these days and leading the team. Navarro is the only newbie on the team, although I don't know who's part of the practice squad.

I'll be curious to see how much Pegula plays after long Charleston matches. But she has done well in team competition in the past, so maybe this is what she needs.

[JTContinental]

Does Belgium have an A team?

Looking forward to Lindsay’s debut and to your reporting!

[meganfernandez]

Does Belgium have an A team?

Looking forward to Lindsay’s debut and to your reporting!

Mertens and Wickmayer. And Greet Minnen is up to #70! Given Elise's strength in doubles, she would be a weapon. I'm surprised she isn't playing. She was already in the US for Charleston. Sofia Costoulas #279 is the highest-ranked player. Wim Fisette will have to work some magic. But surprises happen when you play for your country.

[ashkor87]

Nice to see @meganfernandez
I would be curious about:
Why keys is not playing doubles with TT since they played together at Charleston, why Pegula is,
What special care does Lindsey have to take because it is known she is Madison's mentor
Does she plan to bring in players like Coco and Collins in later rounds or is it even possible to plan ahead.
Of course, I am sure you will explore this- how she feel taking over a team that, frankly,should have won a lot more Cups than it has..
But great to see you covering it, look forward to reading your reports..

[ashkor87]

Of course, the really big question is- how easy is it for her to get players to agree to play, especially against weak opposition like Belgium sans Mertens and Wickemayer..
Is she looking at Olympics now or focused on BJk,?
What is the main role of a captain, given that every player already is a seasoned pro and has her own coach?

[Fastbackss]

I think ashkor hit most of the ones I would ask.

To me, the looming Olympics is the big one - whether it will help mold the lineups - or did players sign up with that in mind? Do they discuss it at all (I would think some players want the practice)
Is her idea to get the young players some "reps" for international play against the inexperienced Belgian squad?
Since I don't know - when did the line-up have to be decided? If recent - did she reach out to Danielle and/or Coco?
Is it hard to get players coming off the sunshine double?

[meganfernandez]

Thanks for all your inout and questions! The lineup was announced in March 15, so Lindsay had to recruit before the sunshine double was finished.


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[meganfernandez]

I've had misgivings about asking if Coco was invited, because the team is so strong without her anyway (and is the heavy favorite), but it's a fair question that I'm sure all the fans want to know, right? Feels a little provocative but I think people deserve to know why the country's top-ranked player isn't representing the team.

[ashkor87]

the interesting matchup is Brazil vs Germany.. Brazil looks the stronger team- and Japan vs Kazakstan.. no Rybakina so Japan should win..Osaka is playing.. France - Britain could be interesting.. Garcia vs Boulter, Parry vs Raducanu etc...US-Belgium is a slamdunk, so is Poland vs Switzerland..

[Fastbackss]

Nice work so far!

Some good quotes in here
https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/th ... cup-begins

[ashkor87]

Nice work so far!

Some good quotes in here
https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/th ... cup-begins

Yes, read it..lovely article...the balance between individual career paths and the team goal came out well...@meganfernandez

[ashkor87]

I wonder if Coco refusing to play BJK and then Pegula being picked to partner Townsend, are signs that Coco is planning to sit out the Olympics...

[ashkor87]

great win for Raducanu over Garcia - she did to Garcia what Garcia does to other people - exceptionally aggressive service returns..

[meganfernandez]

I wonder if Coco refusing to play BJK and then Pegula being picked to partner Townsend, are signs that Coco is planning to sit out the Olympics...

Coco is focusing on Olympic singles and didn't want any other extracurriculars this year. Pegula didn't partner Townsend in BJK. Dolehide did, Keys was slotted to. I thought Dolehie was very good today. I'll be curious to see if Maddie makes the Olympic team. Right now, I'd go with Coco, Pegula, Collins and Navarro as the four singles players over Maddie.

I'm not sure "refused" is the right word. Declined. We don't know the temperature of the conversation. Lindsay said she hopes Coco plays in the future. And she hopes American women care about BJK Cup more in the future.

Navarro had a fantastic win Friday night. Her opponent was tougher than Pegula's. Both of the Belgian girls played well above her high-200 ranking in their first matches. One of them, Hanne Vanderwinkel, juggles tennis and med school! She's basically going to med school part time right now and taking it year by year.

I've had misgivings about asking if Coco was invited, because the team is so strong without her anyway (and is the heavy favorite), but it's a fair question that I'm sure all the fans want to know, right? Feels a little provocative but I think people deserve to know why the country's top-ranked player isn't representing the team.

Lindsay offered this up, didn't have to ask. I didn't press her on how Coco replied. Her team made it known at the beginning of the year that Coco wouldn't play this year. Not sure about the finals in November.