The quartet of Markéta Vondroušová, Tereza Martincová, Kateřina Siniaková and Karolína Muchová were nominated for the tennis player in the qualifying duel for promotion to the Billie Jean King Cup final tournament against Great Britain. It will be played on April 15 and 16 on the clay tvanice Prague in the small center and tickets to the gallery will go on sale on March 31.
Petr Pála’s selection of captains can amount to up to five names and three may be exchanged one hour before the draw (14 April). As such, it is possible that the Czech line-up will be supplemented by currently injured players – world number two Barbora Krejčíková, who has an elbow problem, or Marie Bouzková. Karolína Plíšková and Petra Kvitová, former team leaders, will not be available in the deal with Pála.
The England team will be led by world thirteenth player Emma Raducanu. Harriet Dart (122 in the WTA singles rankings), Katie Swan (213) and Sonay Kartal (392) rounded out last year’s sensational US Open grand slam champion Anne Keothavong.
“We are the favorites thanks to his surface, even though Raducanu was nominated. It’s only good he will come, it will be interesting for the crowd and we want to play against the best,” Pála told the media.
Czech women’s tennis has long been at the forefront and the captain is confident that he can return to the top in the team competition. “You need to think about teams like that, albeit gradually, only at most. Trying to win the title again and the first step leading there through England and progress to the final tournament,” said Pála. He led tennis players to six wins, the last team winning in 2018.
The new nominations were made almost a month before the match, whereas previously it was announced ten days later. “From my point of view, it’s not fun because we have a lot of girls at the top. And the choice is between Indian Wells and Miami tournaments which I will enter. “It’s unusual because anything can happen, but I believe there’s no need to fundamentally change anything,” said Pála.
The current number one team is the 33rd player in the world and last year’s finalist at the Tokyo Olympics Vondroušová and number two Martincová (42nd). “Markéta played two good matches (at Indian Wells) and I’m sure he’ll be fine. Guess Martincová played the best tennis of his career,” said Pála.
The world number one doubles world number one Siniaková will be ready. “He can make a name for himself in singles,” recalled the captain remembering Siniak’s points in singles victory in the 2018 final.
For the second time in his career, he was nominated for Muchová, which premiered in 2019, when he contributed to the win over Canada. Now the 73rd WTA singles player will return to play in Miami after suffering an abdominal muscle injury and will be playing for the first time since last year’s US Open. “Let’s hope he does well, he avoids injuries and comes back fit because he has great tennis,” said Pála.
He will speak to Bouzková in Miami and the question is how last year’s clay winner Roland Garros Krejčíková will turn out. “We’ll see when he starts playing. Nobody knows,” said Pála.
After the injury, Karolína Plíšková also returned and Petra Kvitová also had health problems. “We have agreed that they will not be nominated for this match. They both showed great passion in the competition and won many matches. Hopefully we go ahead and see in November,” said Pála.
This will be the first duel with England in women’s tennis competition. The Czechs have won the competition eleven times. England reached the final four times, most recently 41 years ago.
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