On Monday, the mission semi-finals for the German Fed Cup team, which has been severely weakened by the replacement, began with the flight to Minsk. The new team boss Jens Gerlach wants to surprise us with his debut.
Many things are new in the “Team Germany”. But not everything. Cult fitness trainer Mike Diehl is not to be missed if the DTB team will try to get rid of the Goliath in the shape of the Belarusian Fed Cup team this weekend. Diehl, the rock-hard coach with the soft core and striking glasses, was already witness to completely different acts of strength: The Swabian with the license to grind has already made James Bond alias Daniel Craig legs. On behalf of Her Majesty, so to speak.
The weakened German selection with Tatjana Maria (WTA-no. 58), Antonia Lottner (149), Anna-Lena Friedsam (367), as well as Anna-Lena Grönefeld (double-no. 21) can rely on Diehl as a fearless and extremely experienced “Fed Cupler with body and soul”. The triple daddy should also become an important support for the new captain Jens Gerlach in his debut in the first-round game of the world group. In late summer, the 44-year-old had succeeded long-time team boss Barbara Rittner, who has been head of women’s tennis for the entire women’s division of the German Tennis Association ever since.
The task of getting started couldn’t be more difficult for Gerlach. In the duel with last year’s finalist from Belarus and Aliaksandra Sasnovich (WTA No. 46) at the head, the top ten players Angelique Kerber (9) and Julia Görges (10) as well as the ill Carina Witthöft (52) – and thus the best three German players – are missing.
Nevertheless, there is nothing to shake up the goal for Gerlach:”Even if we don’t play in the best line-up, our goal remains to win the first round in Minsk. This is a demanding task, but the girls will give everything and are fully motivated,” said Tatjana Maria, hopefully the best tennis player in her career at the age of 30,”she played a strong last season. Tatjana had a difficult draw at the Australian Open, but she performed well against Maria Sharapova especially in the second set. With her we have a very experienced player in our team”, Gerlach praised the mother of little Charlotte (4).
Tatjana “Tatte” Maria had lately stood in 2011 – at that time still under her maiden name Malek – against Slovenia in the German contingent. Your record in the Fed Cup: Eight victories, five defeats. On the Rebound Ace Synpave flooring in the Chizhovka Arena in Minsk, the coolness of the Swabian woman residing in Florida will certainly be in demand. As the second single player Anna-Lena Friedsam probably has the best cards. The 24-year-old, who is celebrating her debut in the Porsche Team Deutschland, was out of action for months last year due to a shoulder injury and has only been playing tournaments again since the beginning of October 2017,”Anna-Lena is already in a really good condition after her long break, as she has proven in the last few weeks,”Gerlach praised.
At the Australian Open Friedsam Kerber played well in the second set of the first round duel. Specialist Anna-Lena Grönefeld has been appointed for the doubles. The 32-year-old has been a member of the Fed Cup team since 2004 – and is virtually an inventory item. Antonia Lottner was only nominated after the illness of Witthöft “With Antonia, we have a player in our ranks who we have been promoting for many years in the Porsche Talent Team. I am pleased that she is now able to gain her first experiences in the Fed Cup – it is important to build up the young generation step by step,”said Gerlach about the 21-year-old from Düsseldorf.
The new captain can count on the team behind the team, to which fitness pope Mike Diehl has also belonged for many years, for the difficult semi-final mission. Didi Wolter (doctor), Klaus Eder (physiotherapist), Petra Winzenhöller (physiotherapist) and Sebastian Sachs (sparing partner),”I think it is a huge advantage to have this experienced support team at my side. Everyone knows the procedures, everyone knows what they have to do,”said Gerlach, adding:” It’s also nice for the players to meet the people they trust in at the Fed Cup. 007 would certainly have nothing to say about that.
DAZN broadcasts the matches live on Saturday from 12.00 noon CET and on Sunday from 11.00 noon CET.