HAMBURG, February 8, 2017
After approximately 18 hours of travel, the German Porsche Team finally arrived Tuesday at Lahaina, located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, to face the United States in the first round tie of the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas next weekend.
Fed Cup veterans Andrea Petkovic and Julia Görges will be joined by two newcomers, as Carina Witthöft and Laura Siegemund have been selected by captain Barbara Rittner for the first time.
“Laura more than deserved this nomination with her sensational performances in recent months. Carina will also get the chance to take in a little international ambience at the Fed Cup. Both are really happy to join the team in Hawaii,” Rittner said.
Andrea Petkovic
“It will not be difficult to integrate them into the team. Both are open-minded and not very shy. They are a breath of fresh air in the team, which benefits us all,” Petkovic told the German Tennis Federation (DTB) but added:
“However, I will miss Angie, as we competed together in almost every Fed Cup tie. But you need to adjust to the circumstances. Nonetheless, I think that we have a strong squad with a great team spirit and we are always able to pull a surprise.”
Germany’s top-ranked player, Angelique Kerber, will miss the start into the new Fed Cup season due to conflicts with her own tournament schedule.
“Even wihout our number one, we should not be underestimated,” Petkovic pointed out.
Los geht’s mit dem ersten Training in Hawaii! 😊🎾👍 #FedCup @juliagoerges @andreapetkovic pic.twitter.com/dl2VcATeqg
— DeutscherTennisBund (@DTB_Tennis) 7. Februar 2017
Petkovic Will Keep Away From Hawaiian Waves
The 29-year-old from Darmstadt has made her first trip to Hawaii but will avoid the island’s famous surf spots.
“I went surfing in Portugal and it has been one of my worst experiences in my whole life. Waves in the Atlantic Ocean are pretty difficult. I still made it to change into the wetsuit but from then on it had become disastrous and the pros on the beach were only laughing at me. At the end of the ride I got the board at the back of my head. Anyone, who has ever wondered why I am a bit weird from time to time – maybe that is the reason why,” Petkovic laughed.
The Unites States are led by Coco Vanderweghe. The World No. 20 will be joined by Alison Riske, Shelbey Rogers and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
The last time these two teams met was in 2011 in the World Group play-off in Stuttgart, Germany. The hosts started the tie strong and never slowed down with back to back wins from Andrea Petkovic and Julia Goerges. Then in the third rubber, with Germany ahead in the tie 2-0, Petkovic defeated Melanie Oudin 6-2, 6-3 to seal the win for Germany. Germany dominated the United States 5-0 and regained their World Group status.
