Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong wants the focus to be on her “great team” rather than Emma Raducanu’s absence when they play France for a Billie Jean King Cup Finals spot.
British number one Raducanu, 20, is unavailable for the best-of-five qualifier in Coventry this week.
“I know she wants to be part of this team, it just wasn’t the right timing for her,” Keothavong said.
Keothavong has named the same squad that reached the semi-finals last year.
Raducanu decided to skip the women’s team event on the hard court in Coventry to play in a WTA Tour event on clay in Stuttgart next week.
The world number 68 has struggled to gather momentum this year because of illness and injury, deciding she was better served to tailor her preparations for the clay rather than switch between surfaces.
However, Raducanu’s claim at Indian Wells she did not know when the BJK Cup tie was taking place prompted a surprised reaction from Keothavong.
The British captain responded to story about Raducanu’s comments last month with a thinking emoji face on Twitter.
“We all knew when this tie was and where she is now. It is irrelevant now,” added Keothavong.
“I really hope she does make herself available for future ties.
“It is a huge honour and privilege to represent your country and the players did a great job in Glasgow and [I’m] sure they will do a great job this week. I hope the focus can be on them.”
The absence of 2021 US Open champion Raducanu appears to add further difficulty to an already tough task for Britain.
France possess a much stronger team than Britain in terms of rankings and pedigree, as well as the standout singles player in the shape of world number five Caroline Garcia.
The winners of the tie, which will be played on Friday and Saturday and consists of four singles and one doubles rubber, qualify for November’s 12-team finals.
Who is playing for GB?
With Raducanu missing again, Keothavong has stuck with the players who reached the last four against the odds last November.
British number three Harriet Dart leads the singles players as the highest-ranked player at 138th, with support from experienced pair Heather Watson and Katie Boulter, who are both outside the world’s top 150.
Doubles specialists Alicia Barnett and Olivia Nicholls, who won both their matches on an impressive debut for their nation in Glasgow, are again picked.
Jodie Burrage is ranked as Britain’s top women’s player behind Raducanu, but missed out on selection.
“Each and every one of us is very unique and proved ourselves in many different ways over the years,” Boulter told BBC Sport.
“We have all shown we can play some very good tennis – Emma included, of course – but it is another opportunity for all of us to go out there and show what we can do.”
Britain overcame the odds last year to progress from a tough group featuring Spain and Kazakhstan.
The players and Keothavong were overcome with emotion after a stunning whitewash of much-fancied Spain, before they were beaten by Australia in the last four.
“We’re really lucky because we’ve got a great group of girls who are together and we love the team spirit,” Boulter said.
“We have a lot of things going on to keep us bonded. We really care about each other.
“It makes a huge difference having that behind us and knowing the team will stand behind you and not be on your own. It’s something special.”
Who is playing for France?
Garcia, who is also ranked inside the top 30 doubles players, is joined by world number 70 Alize Cornet and world number 111 Clara Burel.
Cornet reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open last year and played a key role in France winning the 2019 Billie Jean King Cup, while Burel beat Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the US Open first round last year.
All three are ranked higher than the British singles players.
Experienced doubles player Kristina Mladenovic – a nine-time major champion and the standout star of France’s win four years ago – has also been selected by captain Julien Benneteau.
“They are a very strong team and Garcia is a big weapon,” Boulter said.
“Ultimately, you never know who is going to play and we have to be prepared – which we will be.”
Source – BBC Sport
Share your thoughts