( Courtesy of ITF and original link – http://www.fedcup.com/en/news/194662.aspx )
When Russia makes the trip to Krakow on 7-8 February, it will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2014 season, in which the Fed Cup stalwarts lost in the opening round against Australia.
Those ambitions are boosted by the fact that Maria Sharapova has committed to playing in the first round encounter against Poland, which makes the prospect of a reverse singles rubber against Agnieszka Radwanska one to relish.
“I have had good success against her,” Sharapova said of her 11-2 winning head-to-head with the Polish No. 1, “but the matches have always been really tough and that’s what you have to expect against her – especially in a Fed Cup environment.”
But it is off the court that Sharapova is hoping to benefit the most from her Fed Cup week in Poland, explaining that it is a chance for her to spend a lot of time with her family who still live in Russia, who do not often have the opportunity to see her compete in person.
And what of her teammates?
“You don’t get to experience that very often in such an individual sport,” explains the Russian superstar. “You actually bond really well in a team environment. I’m so competitive. I really want my teammates to do well and I’m sitting there trying to be calm but I want them to win so much!”
Russian captain Anastasia Myskina knows exactly how she feels.
Topics: Agnieszka Radwanska, Fed Cup, Maria Sharapova, Russia, Tennis
-@MariaSharapova LOOKING FORWARD TO A WEEK WITH THE RUSSIAN @FedCup TEAM- http://t.co/GuSBXkO29I #Sharapova #tennis #Russia #FedCup
RT @WatchSharapova: MARIA SHARAPOVA LOOKING FORWARD TO A WEEK WITH THE RUSSIAN … http://t.co/pWJoFStuCz