Serena Keeps Focus on Fed Cup This Weekend

By Erik Gudris

Photo Credit: AP Photo/Mic Smith

(April 19th, 2012) Though she arrived a day later than her Fed Cup teammates in the city of Kharkiv, Serena Williams was on the practice courts and present in today's press conference where many of the questions directed at her were more about the Olympics than about this weekend's Fed Cup tie between Ukraine and the United States.

Williams, who leads the heavily favored U.S. team against the Ukrainians, was asked about her often erratic participation in the event for her country. Williams responded, "I’m here to play with my team. I ran into some health problems the last few years and that is why I was not able to play Fed Cup the last few times.”

 

With a perfect 9-0 record in Fed Cup play, Williams is expected to play both singles matches this weekend for Team USA as they try to return to the World Group for 2013.

But it was the subject of who Williams might play mixed doubles with in the upcoming Summer Games that seemed to draw the most interest from the journalists on hand. Speculation has increased in the last several days that Williams might choose new U.S. No. 1 John Isner over her longtime friend Andy Roddick or even one of the Bryan Brothers. But Williams announced she might leave the final decision up to someone else.

"It is a really tough choice," said Williams. "I would have to get with the captain and, if I played mixed, see who they would want me to play with and make the decision for me."

USA's coach Mary Jo Fernandez is well aware that despite being heavy favorites in this weekend's event, she and her team can't let their guard down. "I know quite a bit about the opponents. I’ve watched some of the players. They are a young team but very eager. They played very well in their first round against Italy. We look forward to the challenge when we face them."

The Fed Cup tie between Ukraine and the U.S. starts this Saturday with the lineup to be announced tomorrow.