HAMBURG, February 1, 2017

The German Tennis Federation (DTB) announced Wednesday that Laura Siegemund, Andrea Petkovic, Julia Görges and Carina Witthöft have been selected by Porsche Team Captain Barbara Rittner for Germany’s Fed Cup first round tie against the United States, held in Lahaina, Hawaii, from  11 to 12 February

“Laura deserved the nomination due to her sensational results over the last couple of months. Carina will also get the chance to take in a little international ambience at the Fed Cup,” Rittner told. Siegemund and Witthöft will celebrate their Fed Cup debut. “Both are really happy to join the team in Hawaii.”

Petkovic and Görges are more experienced players. Both together have already competed in 27 Fed Cup ties. “Andrea and Julia are extraordinary players at this type of team competition, giving support with heart and soul. Both showed very solid performances in the past,” Rittner said.

Germany’s top-ranked player, Angelique Kerber, will miss the start into the new Fed Cup season.

“I had a long talk with (German Fed Cup captain) Barbara Rittner and the decision was very, very tough for me, but I won’t play the Fed Cup tie in Hawaii,” Kerber told German reporters during the Australian Open in Melbourne.

“It is too difficult with the schedule, because I’m playing Doha and Dubai after Melbourne. So I think the Americans made a smart decision by choosing Hawaii as their venue. Because, therefore, I’m not able to come.”

Mona Barthel also skipped the tie. “I would have liked her to join us in Hawaii, but due to her medical history another long journey within only a short period of time would have been far too much,” Rittner explained.