British Tennis - Lawn Tennis Association

Judy Murray, captain of the AEGON GB Fed Cup Team, interviewed the day before the team travel to Israel for Fed Cup 2012.

The AEGON GB Fed Cup Team have been putting in the final preparations at the National Tennis Centre today ahead of their Fed Cup by BNP Paribas competition which takes place next week from 1-4 February in Eilat, Israel.

The team, captained by Judy Murray, consists of Elena Baltacha, Anne Keothavong, Heather Watson and Laura Robson, will contest the Europe/Africa Zone Group I along with 14 other nations.

In the group stage matches in the tennis tournament, Great Britain will play against Portugal on Wednesday, followed by Netherlands on Thursday and then hosts Israel on Friday.

"Our team is a great balance of experience and youth," said Judy Murray before the team departed. "We have a reasonably favourable draw and will have a good chance to get ourselves out of this group."

British No.1 Elena Baltacha added, "It's the first time in a long time that we have a really solid, complete team, where we can all bring different things to the table."

"For success in an event like this," continued Anne Keothavong, "all the little things have to come together. It will be a new experience for all of us travelling as this team."

Heather Watson, who played in Eilat in 2011, said, "It was my first Fed Cup last year, it was exciting and I really got to know the girls well. It's exciting this year too as we have a strong team."

Both Keothavong and Baltacha have played 33 Fed Cup ties for Great Britain. Laura Robson will make her debut for the team and she spoke of how she hopes to deal with the pressure:

"I think dealing with pressure comes with experience, and it's something you can always improve and get better at, but we've all played some big matches in the last year so will be ready for this one."

Once the group matches have been completed, the play-offs will take place on Saturday 4 February to determine which two teams are promoted to the World Group II Play Offs in April 2012, which two teams are relegated to Europe/Africa Zone Group II for 2013, as well as deciding the final placement spots.