U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez Signs Two-Year Extension
The USTA has announced that it has agreed to a two-year extension with U.S. Fed Cup Captain Mary Joe Fernandez that will run through the 2012 season. Fernandez took over as captain last year after serving one season as team coach. She is 4-1 at the helm of the U.S. Fed Cup team and has led the U.S. to consecutive Fed Cup finals appearances in her first two years as captain, becoming the first U.S. captain to accomplish that feat since Marty Riessen in 1986-87.
“Mary Joe has done a tremendous job in her first two years as U.S. Fed Cup captain,” said Lucy S. Garvin, chairman of the board and president, USTA. “She has created a team atmosphere that has paid dividends, and the results are indisputable. Mary Joe has also been able to involve some of our most promising young players, paving the road for continued success in the years to come.”
Fernandez will attempt to lead the U.S. to its first Fed Cup title since 2000 when the U.S. hosts Italy in San Diego, Nov. 6-7. The U.S. also faced Italy in last year’s final in Reggio Calabria, Italy, losing 4-0. World number one-ranked Serena Williams and world number four-ranked Venus Williams have committed to represent the U.S. in the final, joining the core U.S. Fed Cup group of Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and world number one-ranked doubles player and 2010 U.S. Open mixed-doubles champion Liezel Huber.
This year will mark the first time the Fed Cup Final has been played in the United States since 2000, when the U.S. won its record 17th Fed Cup title.
The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the world’s largest annual international women’s team competition, with 87 countries competing this year.
For more information, visit www.usta.com/fedcup.
