Fed Cup: Top female players, past and present, coming to Kona in February

Even the most casual tennis fan will recognize some of the names that will be heading to Kailua-Kona for the Fed Cup, World Group II, first round match between the United States and Poland in February.

These names represent some of the best female tennis players in the world over the past three decades, from former players such as Mary Joe Fernandez and Lindsay Davenport, to current stars including United States’ Venus Williams and Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska.

Fernandez is in her eighth year as captain and coach of the U.S. squad. As a player she competed in 18 Fed Cup ties and was a member of the 1996 squad that beat Spain in the championship match.

As a Fed Cup coach, Fernandez holds an 8-8 record. She led the U.S. to consecutive finals appearances in 2009 and 2010, becoming the first coach since Marty Riessen (1986-87) to accomplish the feat.

“It has been a phenomenal experience,” Fernandez said. “I have loved working with players from my generation like Serena and Venus Williams, and I have enjoyed watching the new generation improve and grow in the sport.”

Fernandez says one of her biggest influences has been Billy Jean King, who coached Fernandez on the 1996 Fed Cub team along with Davenport. Davenport and Fernandez were very close during their playing days, joining together and playing doubles as a team, as well as playing against each other in singles competition.

“She was one of my best friends when we played and she is a phenomenal leader,” Davenport said. “She is a great talker and a great motivator. She is amazing and one of the most authentic people.”

Davenport, a 10 year veteran of the Fed Cup, will also be in Kailua-Kona for the match against Poland, but as a commentator for television and not as a player. Davenport is very fond of the Big Island and owns a house in Kona where she lives with her husband and four kids for two to three months a year. The family, which currently resides in California, is contemplating moving to Hawaii permanently.

“My husband and I got married on the Big Island in 2003 and we love it over here,” Davenport said. “We got a place in Kona about two years ago… Our kids love the water. They like to snorkel and to surf.”

Davenport is a former No. 1 ranked player in the world, a title which she held for 98 weeks. She was the No. 1 player at the end of the year four separate times and won an individual gold medal in the Olympics in 1996. She beat Fernandez in the semifinals that year.

Davenport has also won several Grand Slam events including the 1998 U.S. Open, Wimbledon in 1999 and the 2000 Australian Open. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame last year.

During her 10 years playing for the U.S. Fed Cup team, Davenport accumulated a 26-3 singles record and a 7-0 doubles record. Along with her 1996 victory, she also won in 1999 and 2000. Davenport competed in her first Fed Cup match in 1993 at the young age of 17. It was an experience she will never forget.

“It is one of the best feelings in the world,” Davenport said. “My father was an Olympian in 1968 and he was always telling us what a big deal it was. It was something that I immediately fell in love with.”

One player that Davenport and Fernandez have both played with on the Fed Cup team, Venus Williams, has already let it be known she would like to represent her country this year on the Big Island. Teams will not officially be named until a couple of weeks before the event, which is set for Feb. 6-7 at The Holua Tennis Center.

Williams finished the 2015 tennis season on a strong note, and has moved back into the top-10 ranking.

“Venus continues to amaze and impress me,” Fernandez said. “I was fortunate enough to have her on my teams and she is aspiring and her motivation is refreshing.”

“Anytime a legend is playing (in the Fed Cup) it is pretty remarkable,” Davenport added. “She committed early and hopefully that is a sign that means her sister (World No. 1 ranked Serena Williams) will play as well.”

While the United States will be led on the court by Venus Williams, No. 5 player in the world, Agnieszka Radwanska, will lead the team from Poland. Radwanska has been consistently good, finishing in the top-5 in three of the last four years. She has competed for the Polish Fed Cup team eight times, and was apart of the Polish Olympic team in 2008 and 2012.

“She is one of the best players I have seen in six or seven years,” Davenport said. “She has the ability to play well on all surfaces.”

“She is a clever and smart player,” added Fernandez. “We will have to be prepared and disciplined.”

Tickets are currently on sale for the Fed Cup match between the United States and Poland and can be purchased by visiting www.usta.com/fedcup or by calling 888-334-8782. The USTA is also looking for volunteers and ballpersons. To apply visit www.usta.com/fedcup.

Hawaii is the 16th state to host the Fed Cup.