The German tennis players meet Brazil in the first round of the Billie Jean King Cup. The team is warned of the opponent’s top player. But there are also big dreams.
The German tennis ladies go into the first round task in the Billie Jean King Cup against Brazil with respect. But even without Angelique Kerber, they dream of winning their first title in the team competition since 1992.
“It’s always a long way. It doesn’t make sense that you’re already thinking about the final,” said Swabian Laura Siegemund. With a view to possible upcoming rounds, she also explained: “Dynamics can arise that you can’t even imagine. From that point of view, I also believe that it’s not unrealistic. But you have to start and work very concentrated.”
“Have a good team spirit”
Led by the ailing Dortmund player Jule Niemeier (65th in the world rankings) and Swabian Tatjana Maria (71st), the German team will meet Brazil on Friday and Saturday in Stuttgart. The South Americans compete with the world number 14. Beatriz Haddad Maia. “She’s always good for three points, but she’s a player that we have to beat somehow. We have a very complete team, we have a good team spirit,” said team boss Rainer Schüttler. “Certainly not an easy task, but a solvable task.”
Schüttler only wants to announce the line-up with the draw on Thursday. Wimbledon semi-finalist Maria commended herself for an important role in Bogotá with her third tournament victory last weekend. “Incredible and great that she was able to confirm last year’s victory,” said Schüttler, but also left her commitment open: “She has to arrive first, hasn’t trained yet.”
Last November, the German tennis women saved themselves from falling into second division with a 3-1 win in Croatia. Kerber is currently absent due to the birth of her daughter at the end of February.