Jule Niemeier feels no pressure ahead of her singles debut in the Billie Jean King Cup. The German tennis women are threatened with relegation from the world group.
The currently best German tennis player has only played two doubles in the team competition so far, but due to the absence of the pregnant Angelique Kerber and the retired Andrea Petkovic in the playoff game in Croatia on Friday and Saturday, she is now even the German number one in the game. “I don’t think it’s a burden. I’m just looking forward to it,” said Niemeier of the German Press Agency. “I’ve shown this year that I can do well on big stages and play good tennis there. For me, the game at the weekend also belongs in this category.”
The German women are threatened with relegation from the world group against the favored Croatians. Besides Niemeier, the team also includes Eva Lys, Anna-Lena Friedsam and Laura Siegemund. Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria had to withdraw at short notice due to an injury.
Niemeier made the breakthrough this year. At Wimbledon she only lost to Maria in the quarter-finals, at the US Open she failed in three sets in the round of 16 at world number one Iga Swiatek. She has proven that “if I play my game, she can beat the really good ones,” said Niemeier.
Interested in United Cup
Niemeier wants to take part in the new United Cup in Australia at the turn of the year. “I would play if Germany were there,” said the 23-year-old. In the new team competition from December 29, 2022 to January 8, 2023, women and men will compete together, just like in the Hopman Cup.
The new format provides for two women’s and two men’s singles as well as one mixed. A total of 18 teams will take part in the event in Brisbane, Perth and Sydney, which will award $15 million in prize money as well as world ranking points. Which nations will take part will be announced in the coming weeks.
Zverev use questionable
Germany’s top player Alexander Zverev has also signaled his fundamental interest in participating. However, the Olympic champion has only just returned to training on the tennis court after suffering a serious foot injury in early June.
For Zverev, who has not played a match since the semi-finals at the French Open in Paris, the United Cup would be good preparation for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 16. Zverev previously plans to start at show events in Saudi Arabia and Dubai in December.
Niemeier would also forgo Christmas with his family to take part in the new competition. After all, she would be flying to Australia shortly before Christmas Eve. “Of course that’s a pity. But I’ve noticed over the past few years that it’s part of the job that you sometimes have to cut back when it comes to family,” said the Dortmund native.