U.S. FED CUP TEAM Pre-Draw Press Conference Notes and Quotes

Written by: Staff on 19th April 2012

U.S. FED CUP TEAM Pre-Draw Press Conference Notes and Quotes |

United States vs. Ukraine

Fed Cup by BNP Paribas 2012 World Group Playoff

Superior Golf & Spa Resort

Kharkiv, Ukraine * April 21-22

Below are quotes from the U.S. Fed Cup team’s pre-draw press conference today in advance of the 2012 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Playoff versus Ukraine in Kharkiv this weekend. The U.S. Fed Cup Team Record Book, including preview notes, is available here or at USTA.com.

The best-of-five match series begins on Saturday, April 21, with two singles matches and is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, April 22. Tennis Channel will present daily coverage beginning at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.

U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez

When asked about the criteria used in choosing the team: “Usually you look through the rankings to see who’s playing well, and you look at some of the good match-ups, as well as who’s healthy, and put together the best team possible for that tie.”

On some of the strengths of the Ukrainian team: “I know quite a bit about the opponents. I’ve watched some of the players. They are a young team but very eager. They played very well in their first round against Italy. We look forward to the challenge when we face them.

When asked about having a young team: “Everybody on the team has really improved and worked really hard. It’s nice to have young players coming up and doing well. Jamie, Sloan [Stephens] and Christina [McHale] have really pushed each other and its nice to see them develop as really good players.”

On Serena and Liezel leading the team: “Its great to have two great champions like Serena and Liezel playing on your team with the experience they bring and a lot of grand slam titles. And they share that [experience] with the younger members. Now looking ahead, you look to the young players to become the leaders eventually. We

start early and develop. I’ve had all of these players for a few years now, and they are developing really well and getting better every day.”

On the Bondarenko sisters not playing on the Ukrainian team: “I was surprised that at least one of the Bondarenko sisters was not competing on the Ukrainian team. I know them pretty well from the tour.”

Serena Williams

When asked about how she’s feeling about her game and coming off of good back-to-back matches: “I feel really good about it. I’m really enjoy playing on clay because clay is a lot different. I’m looking forward to just continuing, and that my good playing carries over to Fed Cup.”

When asked about playing Fed Cup in Ukraine and missing some of the past ties: “I’m here to play with my team. I ran into some health problems the last few years and that is why I was not able to play Fed Cup the last few times.”

Christina McHale

When asked about playing Fed Cup: “I love being on a team. I love playing for my country. We always have a good week leading up and hopefully this will be another one of those weeks.”

Liezel Huber

On playing with for the U.S. versus for South Africa: “I think I’ve actually played more ties for the U.S. now, and I definitely have had more victories. I prefer when somebody wonders where I learned to play the game that they guess South Africa first. But I feel more American and this is home for me.”

Topics: Fed Cup, U.S. Fed Cup Team