Britain Needs One More Fed Cup Player

Written by: Staff on 18th April 2013

Britain Needs One More Fed Cup Player

Judy Murray |

Britain’s Fed Cup captain Judy Murray will not announce her decision on who gets the second singles spot in the World Group II play-off against Argentina in Buenos Aires until just before the start of play tomorrow (Friday) with Elena Baltacha poised for an unlikely return.

With Heather Watson ruled out with glandular fever (mononucleosis), Laura Robson will take the no.1 slot with a decision to made between the claims of 164th ranked Johanna Konta or veterans Anne Keothavong and Elena Baltacha who has only played one match since last August’s Olympic Games.

Baltacha initially suggested she was ready to retire after the Olympics. The 29 year-old needed ankle surgery, which needed a long period of rehabilitation and she felt more inclined to dedicate her energy to the academy she has opened in her hometown of Ipswich in Suffolk.

Ranked well outside the world’s top 200, Baltacha made her comeback at the $25,000 event in Pelham but failed to complete her first round match, retiring against Canada’s Sharon Fichman as she trailed 5-7, 6-4,5-1.

Baltacha originally reported on Twitter: “Unfortunately the body conked out!! Loved every second of it though. So happy to be back.”

But after a couple of days to reflect, she said: “I played my first tournament, since my foot surgery in October, last week in the States and I had chances to win that match. I’m feeling good and very excited to play Fed Cup and be part of the team here in Argentina.

“After the Olympics, that was it. I was coaching and I was happy to be at home. Watching the US Open didn’t really faze me at all. I thought, ‘I’m not there, and that’s fine.’

“But then after the surgery I realized I do really love it, I think I can still get out there and do some more and achieve many more things. Watching the Australian Open hurt me much more than I thought. I’ve definitely got that desire and that want again.”

Murray said: “The Argentines have the advantage of playing at home and on clay which would be their preferred surface, so for us that’s a challenge. We have a very strong team, we have strength and depth I hope that it will be a good match as I hope that we will come out on top.

“It’s disappointing for Heather that she couldn’t make the trip with us, we hope that she will be back soon and we hope we can get the job done with the team we have. You always miss a player ranked around 40 in the world and we wish her a speedy recovery.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Anne Keothavong, British Fed Cup, British tennis news, Elena Baltacha, Fed Cup, Heather Watson, Johanna Konta, Judy Murray, Laura Robson, Tennis News