We are underdogs without Serena, say U.S. Fed Cup team
By Mark Meadows
REGGIO CALABRIA, Italy, Nov 6 (Reuters) - The United States feel like underdogs in their Fed Cup final against Italy this weekend after Serena Williams pulled out, captain Mary Joe Fernandez said on Friday.
World number one Serena, whose sister Venus is also not competing, was named in the team but dropped out last week because of exhaustion. She had not played for her country since 2007.
The U.S. have won 17 Fed Cup titles and have beaten Italy in each of their nine meetings.
“We’re the underdogs,” Fernandez told a news conference after a draw which pitted Alexa Glatch against Italy’s world number 11 Flavia Pennetta in Saturday’s opening singles rubber.
“The Willams sisters haven’t played much in the last 10 years. They both wanted to be here. I’m hoping that means they’re getting that pride and that sense of honour and privilege.”
The duo have been criticised by U.S. media for their failure to represent their country enough but Fernandez feels their absence may have heaped more pressure on hosts Italy.
“I always think the home country feels the pressure a lot more,” she said. “In a final, there’s an added dimension. So for the Italians trying to win for the first time at home, their second Fed Cup title, the pressure is definitely on them more.” Melanie Oudin, the top-ranked U.S. player at 49, will face Francesca Schiavone in the second match just two weeks after the Italian won the Kremlin Cup in Moscow.
“For us it is an honour to play this final at home,” Schiavone said.
“Going on court first or second makes no difference to me. I have a lot of trust in what Flavia can do. It’s clear there’s pressure, if there wasn’t it wouldn’t be normal given the importance of the tie.”
The outdoor clay tie in Reggio Calabria, on the toe of Italy, is scheduled to conclude on Sunday with the reverse singles and the doubles although rain is forecast. (Editing by Sonia Oxley; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
5 Comments
1 - 5 of 5
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
american ladies who have brought fame and glory in the name of tennis to america yet most criticisms levied against them comes from the USA, what is wrong? Is liberty a cime. Give them a break.
Report Abuse
However I wonder what is going to happen in 2011. I think one of the rules for the Olympics is that you have to represent your country in Fed/Davis cup. What if they don't get called or selected, they will not be able to represent USA in the London Olympics. That was one of the reasons why Federer played for Swiss in a Davis Cup tie in 2007.
Report Abuse
it's a sickness that white america has with it's black athletes. because black represent less than 14% of the country but dominate major sports (basketball is 95% black; football - 70% black; baseball - 45% black and even more if you count the spanish speaking blacks in baseball), some americans are just plain resentful of their own citizen's successes?
as a result of this sickness, the williams sisters get attacked even more because of their dominance of tennis, one of the few major sports (well, kinda major) where whites still are competitive. likewise, tiger woods is attacked in golf as well (he acts "entitled", he curses too much, isn't friendly, blah blah blah).
so even though the williams sisters have won multiple gold medals representing the US at the olympics, played fed cup, etc, they still get unfairly criticized anyway. double standard? of course it is.
look at roger federer, he barely plays davis cup but yet there is no widespread criticism from the tennis establishment or the media. noone says he's unpatriotic to his country. in fact, he is applauded for pacing himself to peak for the majors.
thank god the williams sisters don't listen to their detractors, except as fuel to keep acheiving.
Report Abuse
MJ, MJ, MJ, it's easier to catch flies with honey, than with vinegar...
Like I said yesterday...Coach Fernandez think before you speak. Again, her first two statements are good, but that last one...well, it is what it is or maybe it lost something in translation. ;)
Laying the guilt trip on the Wms sisters don't and won't work. period, end of story, over and out... LOL
I suppose Fernandez forgets how many years she committed to Fed Cup vs how many years she was on the tour.
All I can say to Coach is...good luck with recruiting and/or convincing either or both Wms sisters to play next year. hmph!!!
1 - 5 of 5