When the Davis and Billie Jean King Cups modified format to the present “Finals” model, with one web site internet hosting the remaining nations, it successfully took away home-court benefit for any nation besides the host.
By default, that meant no matter nation was dealing with off with the hosts not solely needed to cope with one other workforce, however opposing followers too.
That’s precisely the problem dealing with Staff Canada introduced by Sobeys this week on the Billie Jean King Cup Finals as they’ll conflict within the group stage with the hosts Spain in Seville.
However it’s not a problem that the Canadian workforce is afraid of. In actual fact, simply the other.
“We’re up for the problem. That’s why we compete,” stated Rebecca Marino on the workforce’s pre-event press convention when requested about dealing with Spain at house. “We compete for moments like this. Excited for the followers and for that kind of factor. I believe we’re up for it and we’re fairly excited.”
“After I noticed that we have been put within the spherical robin with Spain, notably as a result of they’re the host nation, I used to be very excited since you need to have an ideal competitors and good camaraderie on your workforce.”
Whereas they might not have the gang at their again, no less than not on Wednesday after they face Spain, the sheer inspiration of enjoying for his or her nation is loads of motivation for Staff Canada.
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“It’s at all times particular enjoying on your nation,” stated Eugenie Bouchard, who’s suiting up for the first time since 2018. “I’ve accomplished it many instances over my profession. I at all times get pleasure from having the assist of teammates, as a result of usually we play a person sport. I believe it’s distinctive. I’m pleased the tennis calendar has every week like this a yr or a pair weeks a yr.”
Leylah Annie Fernandez, who will play the function of Canadian No. 1 this week in Seville, expressed comparable sentiments, saying “I’m at all times excited to be a part of a workforce, particularly from Canada. Now we have an ideal assist employees, and the ladies listed below are tremendous wonderful, tremendous optimistic. They at all times carry out the perfect in me.”
For the Laval-native, representing her nation carries a particular that means that goes again to her household roots. “Is also the delight of enjoying for my nation. My dad, who’s a soccer participant, at all times stated the largest delight of any athlete is to symbolize their nation and to have the nation’s identify on their again. Each time I step on court docket, I at all times simply need to struggle, carry out the perfect, be the absolute best model of myself and provides Staff Canada an opportunity to win the tie.”
Fernandez performed the hero to ensure that Canada to get to Seville, winning all three points in Canada’s qualifying tie with Belgium again in April.
Learn additionally: Pressure Not a Problem for Fernandez at Billie Jean King Cup
For one member of Staff Canada, every little thing happening in Seville is new.
“It’s actually thrilling for me to be right here, to play my first Billie Jean King Cup,” stated Marina Stakusic, who was nominated to Team Canada for the first time in her younger profession. “It’s at all times been a objective of mine to play on this occasion. Simply being on a workforce with all these ladies who’re all tremendous good and welcoming is admittedly thrilling for me. I’m trying ahead to seeing how the week goes. I do know it’s going to be an ideal expertise for me.”
Enjoying the host nation isn’t straightforward, however the Canadians ought to like their odds in Group C as neither of their opponents, Spain and Poland, are enjoying at full power. Spain’s greatest identify, Paula Badosa, is coming off harm and has not performed since Wimbledon, whereas Poland is with out world No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Nonetheless, Staff Canada will not be taking something without any consideration.
“Something can occur. It would come all the way down to the decider doubles. If it does, then we’re prepared,” defined workforce captain Heidi El Tabakh. “This can be a fairly robust competitors. It’s fairly even. I believe all groups are going to go on the market and play their finest. We anticipate that, and we’ll be prepared for it.”
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The Canadians won’t be trying previous the Group Stage, however simply successful the group will not be the final word objective, which is doing what their male counterparts did in 2022 and being topped world champions.
“We hope to comply with in Davis Cup footsteps. Huge inspiration to us,” stated El Tabakh. “I belief my gamers. I do know they’ll give it 100 per cent on court docket. We’re competing in opposition to the large nations of groups and gamers on this planet, so it’s not going to be straightforward. However we now have earned our spot and we consider that we are able to do it. It could imply so much for us. It could imply so much for tennis in Canada and imply so much for Canada as effectively.”
Canada opens the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Wednesday in opposition to Spain after which performs Poland on Thursday. The highest workforce within the group will advance to Saturday’s semifinals.
