Konta and Watson Lead Great Britain's Fed Cup Team Against Japan in World Group 2 Play-Off

GB FED CUP TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT WEEKEND’S AWAY CLASH AGAINST JAPAN

(April 11, 2018) The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) has today named the GB Fed Cup team who will line up against Japan at the Bourbon Beans Dome (indoor hard court) in Miki (northwestern Kobe) for the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group II Play-Off:

Johanna Konta (WR-23)
Heather Watson (WR-77)
Gabriella Taylor (WR-175)
Anna Smith (DWR-48)

Commenting on the announcement, GB Fed Cup Captain and LTA Senior National Coach Anne Keothavong said, “I am delighted to name our strongest possible team travelling to Japan for the World Group II Play Off. We have been so close since 2012 and hopefully the fourth will be a charm. Fed Cup is a unique privilege to wear your nation’s colours and it’s something I know all of our team takes great pride in. Women’s tennis in the UK is at its highest point in over three decades and we now have eight players inside the world’s Top 250, led by Johanna and Heather at the very top, who between them have played nearly 60 matches in the competition. Japan will have home support and a very capable team as they also won their zonal group. Our team spirit is second to none and I’m delighted that Fed Cup debutante Gabi Taylor, who has improved her ranking 160 spots in the last four months, will be joining our seasoned doubles expert Anna Smith in our line-up.”

The World Group II Play-Off is set to be broadcast live on TV by BT Sport, with radio coverage provided by BBC 5 Live and online coverage via BBC live events platform. Play at the two-day event gets underway on Saturday 21 April 13:00 local time (5am in Britain) and Sunday 23 April 12:00 local time (4am in Britain).

Oliver Scadgell, the LTA’s Director of Major Events & Competitions commented: “It is extremely important to us that British Tennis fans are able to watch and follow our Fed Cup Team in action on BT Sport, BBC and via our own channels, enabling everyone to get involved and providing vital inspiration for women and girls across the country to get involved in our sport, whether as a fan or a player.”