Czechs seek to net third Fed Cup in five years

The Czech women’s tennis team is bracing for the Fed Cup finals against Germany that will get underway at Prague’s O2 Arena on Saturday. The Czech team reached the finals after defeating champion Italy 4-0 in April. It will be the team’s third appearance in the Fed Cup finals in four years.

Petr Pála, photo: CTK

The Czech Republic’s non-playing captain Petr Pála last week nominated top Czech women’s players Petra Kvitová and Lucie Šafářová, along with the doubles duo Andrea Hlaváčková and Lucie Hradecká and the newcomer Karolína Plíšková to appear for the Czech team, which won the trophy twice in the last four years.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the Czech Republic’s captain said he had a clear idea about the final line-up, but added he would only announce the names before the draw on Friday.

“It is Wednesday so we still have time. I am happy that everybody is healthy and we are looking forward the game. It has been some time since we played our last match and I know we are facing a tough opponent, but you shouldn’t have an easy opponent in the final. I think everybody is looking forward to having a sold-out arena and seeing some good tennis.”

The Czech Republic’s number one women’s player Petra Kvitová took a short break after returning exhausted from the WTA tournament in Singapore last month, where she lost in the finals.

She has been training at the O2 Arena in Prague along with the other team players since Tuesday and says she is back in shape:

Petra Kvitová, photo: CTK

“It has been long time since I have been in the final, so it is a very nice feeling to be here at home and we are all looking forward to the weekend. I think people come and support us every time we are playing at home. I hope everything will be OK and we are going to be prepared for the weekend…

“Of course I was disappointed after Singapore because I didn’t achieve what I wanted. But on the other hand, this is something totally different it’s the end of the season. All of us just want to put everything in the match and we will see.”