SA’s Fed Cup shambles
It was a trip for the Fed Cup playoffs in Israel last week immersed in a good measure of optimism for the South African team who were seeking as the first prize earning promotion to World Group Two of world tennis’ most prestigious women’s event.
Instead the high hopes went up in smoke with the South African team losing all their three games against Georgia, Great Britain and Hungary by a humbling 3-0 margin – and consequently finding themselves doomed to relegation to next year’s Euro-Africa Group Two segment – from where they had ironically gained a longsought promotion last year.
“We have no excuses,” said visibly disappointed captain Earl Grainger (above) of the team of South Africa’s most promising young women players that was made up of Ilze Hattingh, Madrie le Roux, Chanel Simmonds and Michelle Sammons.
“Apart from Great Britain’s Heather Watson, our players were not really outranked by any of their opponents,” said Grainger, “but nothing seemed to go right and a degree of motivation and determination was lacking throughout.
“We now have to face the reality of the situation,” said the South African team captain, “and not brush the jarring whitewash results under the carpet as just one of those things”.
Instead, Grainger believes a total re-evaluation of how promising young talent is nurtured in South Africa – particularly the female youngsters – needs to take place.
“Losing is one thing,” he added. “Losing so overwhelmingly to players who are really no more talented, suggests something is seriously wrong.
“Lacking, of course,” said Grainger, “was a player of the experience of Chani Scheepers, who was largely responsible in South Africa gaining Fed Cup promotion last year and also influencing the other players in the team.
“Chani has now retired – and it’s a sad situation there is no one remotely equipped to replace her. But we must not make this the sole reason for our failure in Israel.”
A degree of motivation and determination was lacking throughout. Earl Grainger SA Fed Cup captain