Captain's blog
“We’d love to get revenge after Coventry” – captain’s blog from Anne Keothavong ahead of Great Britain vs France
In just a few days the Lexus GB Billie Jean King Cup team will step out on court at Le Chaudron in Le Portel, France, ready to take on France for a place in the Finals later this year.
In this ‘Captain’s blog’, Anne Keothavong takes us through her thoughts on the upcoming tie, the team spirit and the task ahead of them against a strong French side.
Preparations begin
This week, we’d love to get revenge on the French team after losing out in Coventry last year in a few tough, close matches. It won’t be any easier this time around in France, but our players are playing some great tennis at the moment, they’re up for it, we’ve had good training sessions together, and the team spirit is really strong.
We set off for France on a team bus on Monday, with plenty of music and the players were able to take time to chill and relax during the journey in each other’s company. We’re now into the training days, sharing a practice court with the French throughout the week, so we have to make sure we’re timing everything right and everyone gets the preparation they need.
Heading to France with a strong squad
As a team, the players are in a different position to last year and they’ve had a lot of success.
Katie Boulter is now cementing her place inside the top 30 and hopefully she can continue to rise coming off the back of her first WTA 500 title in San Diego. That’ll be a huge confidence boost – she really looks like she belongs at the top of the game right now and is in a completely different place to this time last year.
It’s great to have Emma (Raducanu) fit again and to have someone like her back as part of the team is a real boost. Harriet (Dart) is back in the top 100 and has continued to improve since last year as well. Heather (Watson) brings a lot of valuable experience to the team, which is huge, and currently she’s inside the top 50 for doubles as well.
Then there’s Fran Jones, who comes into the team for the first time off the back of reaching her first WTA 125 final in Mexico last week. She’s a player who loves playing on the clay and will have a lot of confidence after her recent results.
It’s a great position as captain to have so many players to choose from and to have a nice balance of experience and fresh faces in the team. Everyone wants to be out there on the court playing for their country but whoever I do select has got to be ready because these are going to be tough matches.
The challenge ahead
The support at home times in Britain has been incredible, and the French also take a huge amount of pride in their Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup teams and always get behind their players. We’re expecting a vocal French crowd, but we won't be fazed. Our players know what to expect and we’re hoping the British fans who can make it will bring the noise as well!
Playing away from home is always challenging and clay is a surface our players find trickier than the French, but we’ve prepared the best we can and all I ask from my team is that they approach this tie with the right mindset and leave it all out there on the court.
We are the underdogs, but we relish the challenge. Making the Finals would be a huge result for this team. This competition is important to all of us and I know everyone is highly motivated to give it all we’ve got.
An experience like no other
These are special weeks as a player – I’ve always valued the camaraderie that this competition allows you to develop and the memories you create along the way. A big part of my role, with the rest of the support staff, is creating the best environment on and off the court that really brings everyone together.
We have a newbie this time around in Fran, who will be welcomed with open arms, and she has her initiation to prepare for as well!
I have the benefit of experience being a former player who competed in this competition, and I made mistakes at times that I don’t want to see others repeat. I understand now more than ever how important the relationships you develop through this sport is and I really value that and want to pass that on. Focus on what is right and park the unnecessary noise.
It’s a real privilege being the captain and I’m lucky to be able to have such incredible women I can work with.
Billie Jean King Cup
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