The number one in the team of national coach barbara rittner can't compete on the 9th of july because of her back problems. And 10. February will not be present in limoges. "I have tried everything, but unfortunately my back is not yet so good that i am 100% fit!", announced the 25-year-old from kiel via facebook. The sixth in the world ranking suffers from an overload of the spine and intervertebral discs. The back problems occurred during the australian open in melbourne.
Kerber encouraged her teammates for the duel against france: "I'm quite sure that the madels will be able to hold their own against france without me. I am keeping my fingers crossed for them and am in limoges with them in my thoughts!"
Team manager rittner explained that kerber had tried everything, but that she was not pain-free under pressure. "I wish you a speedy recovery!" Tweeted rittner. She nominated junior player annika beck as a replacement for last season's promoted player. The 18-year-old from gieben will now travel to limoges with the team via paris on sunday. Andrea petkovic, who has injured her knee, will be absent from the match in the hall on sand, as will mona barthel, who has announced her absence.
Because the french women's team will see the world number ten marion bartoli make her comeback, the german tennis federation's team will start the world group II duel as the outsiders. The DTB team has to win in france and then win another duel in order to play first-class again next year. "A few weeks ago we were the clear favorites, but now that has changed completely," explained rittner, but she was not ready to give up: "i have great confidence in my team. Now more than ever," wrote rittner.
France's top player bartoli had not played in the fed cup since 2004 due to quarrels with the federation. In addition to the former wimbledon finalist, the team of former world number one and head of selection amelie mauresmo includes alize cornet, Kristina Mladenovic, virginie razzano and, as a substitute, pauline parmentier.