Fernandez To Take Over In 2008

Written by USTA
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., December 17, 2007 — The USTA today announced that former doubles partners Zina Garrison and Mary Joe Fernandez will serve as Captain and Coach of the U.S. Fed Cup Team, respectively, for 2008.  In addition, it was announced that Fernandez will become the United States Fed Cup Captain in 2009.  Fernandez will work closely with Garrison and the team for the 2008 Fed Cup campaign as she transitions from Coach to Captain.  The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club will host the 2008 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal between the United States and Germany on February 2-3 in La Jolla, Calif.

“I anticipate an exciting final year as Captain in the hopes of bringing the Fed Cup home to the U.S.,” said Zina Garrison. “Mary Joe and I are looking forward to building a strong transition as she evolves from Coach to Captain over the course of 2008.  I can think of no better person to assist as Coach in 2008 and serve as Captain in 2009.”
“I am thrilled to be part of the U.S. Fed Cup team once again,” said Fernandez.  “Fed Cup was one of the most important and memorable times of my career.  I am excited to be working with Zina in 2008, and then taking on the Captain’s role in 2009.”
“Zina and Mary Joe have been two of the most committed Fed Cup competitors and certainly two of the greatest ambassadors for the sport today, and we’re thrilled they will be working together in 2008,” said Arlen Kantarian, CEO, Professional Tennis, USTA.  “In addition, we are very pleased that Mary Joe – – one of the classiest and most respected people in the game – – has accepted the role of Captain for 2009.”
“We have a great history in this competition and one of our top priorities is to bring the Fed Cup back to the U.S.,” said Jane Brown Grimes, USTA President and Chairman of the Board. “With Zina and Mary Joe working together, we like our chances in 2008.”
The La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, which hosted sold-out crowds for a U.S. Davis Cup first round tie in 2006, has been selected as the host site for the quarterfinal between the United States and Germany, February 2-3. The USTA will construct a temporary stadium for the two-day, best-of-five match quarterfinal.
Fernandez, 36, helped the U.S. Fed Cup team reach the finals in four of her six years as a member of the U.S. Fed Cup team, including a title win in 1996.  Overall, she posted a 16-10 Fed Cup record (12-8 singles) in 18 Fed Cup ties.  Fernandez is a three-time Olympic medal winner, capturing a gold medal in doubles and bronze medal in singles in Barcelona in 1992, and a second doubles gold medal in Atlanta in 1996.  In her pro career, she captured seven WTA Tour singles titles and 19 doubles titles.  She won two Grand Slam doubles titles, one at the 1991 Australian Open and one at the 1996 French Open.  Fernandez is a well-known ESPN commentator and has been broadcasting US Open Series tournaments for the past four years.  She also is one of the commentators for CBS Sports during its coverage of the US Open.
Garrison, 44, is the 18th U.S. Fed Cup Captain since the competition began in 1963 and first African-American Captain in the competition’s history.  She debuted as the U.S. Fed Cup Captain in 2004, succeeding Billie Jean King, and has led the team to one runner-up and three semifinal finishes in her four-year tenure.  As a player, Garrison spent eight years on the U.S. Fed Cup team (1984-87, 1989-91, 1994), helping the U.S. win three titles and posting a 22-5 overall record (7-4 singles) in 23 ties.  Garrison also represented the U.S. at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, winning a gold medal in doubles and a bronze medal in singles.
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas is the world’s largest annual international women’s team competition with 86 countries competing in 2008.  The ITF has final approval rights for all site selections.  The United States leads all nations with 17 Fed Cup titles, the last coming in 2000, and is one of eight nations competing for the 2008 Fed Cup title as part of the Fed Cup World Group.