Canarian tennis player Carla Suárez, who will represent Spain this week in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup in Prague, a tournament of nations with which she says goodbye to the professional circuit, dreams of a victory that would be the “finishing touch” to its trajectory. “Winning a competition like this would be very special, a farewell, a finishing touch to so many years of career, although it is not only that, “the player recalled to EFE during the press conference before the start of the tournament.
Surrounded by the team captain, Anabel Medina, and the rest of the quintet representing Spain, Suárez recalled the collective value of the trophy. “It is a team competition that you share with all the teammates, and this is much more special than winning an individual, “said the 33-year-old. After returning to training, after the cancer that put her immune system to the test, the Canary Islands wants to be one of the strongholds of her team. “There are many years here. I have a lot of experience and well I will try to contribute everything I have learned in these years,” he said.
Today Carla put the accent on the preparation before the tournament: “That the girls feel good, that in each training we are concentrated, we give one hundred percent”. And, as he recalled, “good preparation is always better, they have more options to get a good result at the weekend. Now with a new format, let’s see how we adapt.” For the moment, the training sessions at the O2 Arena in Prague are working and the Canary Islands are available for Monday’s crossing against Slovakia. “The ‘training sessions’ are going well for us. If I am here in the team it is because I am available, if Anabel really needs it, she knows that she can count on me.“, he added.
Anabel Medina sees advantages for Spain in the new Fed Cup format
he captain of the Spanish Fed Cup team, Anabel Medina, considers that the new format of this competition of nations, renamed the Billie Jean King Cup, It can benefit Spain given the experience of the team. “The situation is new for everyone and the team that gets used to this the fastest is the one that will be more successful. The good news is that the team has experience and young players ready to fight.” Medina said at a press conference before the tournament, which is held on the fast track at the O2 Arena in Prague from November 1 to 7.
Unlike the previous format, which awarded one point per game and gave the victory to the first to win three points,hour there is a team phase, semifinal and final. In each phase, two individual matches and one doubles match are played, and the one with two victories wins., while in the event of a tie on points, it is settled between percentages of sets and games won.
“You have to play with all the energy and power in each game, because every point counts, even if you win the crossing. And the doubles are also important.” The captain said about the new system, which demands “to be very focused.” “It’s a challenge, but for everyone. It’s the first time we’ve competed in this format,” said Medina, whose team faces Slovakia on Monday and the US on Wednesday.
On the absences of Garbiñe Muguruza and Paula Badosa, Due to a calendar conflict, Anabel Medina recognized that it is a circumstance that Spain has gone through throughout the entire tournament. “If you analyze the way here, many players have passed through the team, and all have responded very well, “recalled the Valencian.” For me they are all important, “he stressed. “After having the news (of the absence of the two players), we look forward to thank those who are here, and that is what we have done,” added the captain. “They are all prepared to compete, they are all psyched that we come to hit each other, but the first thing is the group stage, and then we will see”, added Medina
