I wouldn't normally start a thread here in Sport, but then I don't normally get to say I'll be attending year-opening ties in both the ladies' and men's versions of sporting events in a given year, and these events don't fit in really with either the British tennis thread or the seasonal individual Grand Slam threads as they come around. Plus, this way I get to brag about who I'm going to meet this coming Friday.
On Friday the Fed Cup begins - well, the draws for the first fixtures do - whilst the Davis Cup starts in March. Having apparently impressed the selectors last year after being called in for late cover, I've been asked to cover both of Argentina's home ties in said contests. In the Davis, the men are playing Brazil, which should make for a good atmosphere and much fun to be had even though Juan Martín Del Potro will not of course be involved, much to the chagrin of most Argentine tennis fans.
But before that, I'm heading off for a long weekend in Pilar this week, to see my friends (I'm certain they won't remember me) Paula Ormaechea and Mery Irigoyen of Argentina host Paula's childhood heroes the USA in World Group II. Well, Paula's childhood heroes aren't the USA as a country, but rather two of the players making up their team - because in news that's surprised everyone all round and got the Asociación Argentina de Tenis scrambling for an extra stand of temporary seating at what is a tiny little stadium, Serena and Venus Williams have been confirmed in the US team. Madison Keys is there too, but it's not hard to see why everyone here is getting a bit giddy - and no offence to her, but it's not because of her. To be clear, I'm not bragging that I'll be seeing them play; as a journalist covering the tie for the official Fed Cup website, I'm going to be bloody well interviewing them after each day's play. Last year I was nervous at being found out as a first-timer tennis-wise. Right now I'm just ludicrously excited at the prospect.
In the World Group it's Canada v 2014 Fed Cup winners Czech Rep, Italy v France, Poland v Russia and 2014 beaten finalists Germany v Australia, whilst World Group II is all European aside from my date with the Williamses: Netherlands v Slovakia, Romania v Spain and Sweden v Switzerland. In one way, Argentina - who are punching above their weight just to be in World Group II for a second straight year - might feel a bit unfortunate to have drawn the States and then in addition to that, have ended up with Serena and Venus to compete with following the USA's relegation last year, but having talked to the two main players and the captain last year I suspect they'll be wanting to enjoy the challenge rather than feeling sorry for themselves. It'll also be a slightly melancholic tie (well the dinner the evening before the draw will be) because since the last Fed/Davis Cup ties for Argentina last year, the head of the AAT has died. I can't say much about that, except I had to ask him where to find something during last year's tie and he went out of his way (literally) to help me with it, which is the polar opposite of what the high-up Argentine FA official I had to deal with during the 2011 Copa América was like.
Anyway, that's why I won't be sleeping much this week. What matches are you all looking forward to?
On Friday the Fed Cup begins - well, the draws for the first fixtures do - whilst the Davis Cup starts in March. Having apparently impressed the selectors last year after being called in for late cover, I've been asked to cover both of Argentina's home ties in said contests. In the Davis, the men are playing Brazil, which should make for a good atmosphere and much fun to be had even though Juan Martín Del Potro will not of course be involved, much to the chagrin of most Argentine tennis fans.
But before that, I'm heading off for a long weekend in Pilar this week, to see my friends (I'm certain they won't remember me) Paula Ormaechea and Mery Irigoyen of Argentina host Paula's childhood heroes the USA in World Group II. Well, Paula's childhood heroes aren't the USA as a country, but rather two of the players making up their team - because in news that's surprised everyone all round and got the Asociación Argentina de Tenis scrambling for an extra stand of temporary seating at what is a tiny little stadium, Serena and Venus Williams have been confirmed in the US team. Madison Keys is there too, but it's not hard to see why everyone here is getting a bit giddy - and no offence to her, but it's not because of her. To be clear, I'm not bragging that I'll be seeing them play; as a journalist covering the tie for the official Fed Cup website, I'm going to be bloody well interviewing them after each day's play. Last year I was nervous at being found out as a first-timer tennis-wise. Right now I'm just ludicrously excited at the prospect.
In the World Group it's Canada v 2014 Fed Cup winners Czech Rep, Italy v France, Poland v Russia and 2014 beaten finalists Germany v Australia, whilst World Group II is all European aside from my date with the Williamses: Netherlands v Slovakia, Romania v Spain and Sweden v Switzerland. In one way, Argentina - who are punching above their weight just to be in World Group II for a second straight year - might feel a bit unfortunate to have drawn the States and then in addition to that, have ended up with Serena and Venus to compete with following the USA's relegation last year, but having talked to the two main players and the captain last year I suspect they'll be wanting to enjoy the challenge rather than feeling sorry for themselves. It'll also be a slightly melancholic tie (well the dinner the evening before the draw will be) because since the last Fed/Davis Cup ties for Argentina last year, the head of the AAT has died. I can't say much about that, except I had to ask him where to find something during last year's tie and he went out of his way (literally) to help me with it, which is the polar opposite of what the high-up Argentine FA official I had to deal with during the 2011 Copa América was like.
Anyway, that's why I won't be sleeping much this week. What matches are you all looking forward to?
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