Laura Robson the former British number one has been selected by Judy Murray as part of the British Fed Cup team for the tie next month. Murray has named a squad of six, with this to drop to four before the tie commences. Following in the tracks of Leon Smith, Murray believes that naming the squad of six, gives each player the chance to gel as a team and to get match sharp before the tie.
Robson's Drop In the Ranks
Robson has dropped to 558 in the world since being out of action for over 18 months due to a wrist injury. The Brit who tried to make the comeback last season in July was unable to get many match wins and took another break in September to allow the wrist to heal completely.
Robson and her team decided that the wrist needed to be completely healed to avoid a repetition of the injury and more time out. The Brit has a protected ranking that she can use in one further slam and a few smaller tournaments, and has decided to skip the Australian Open to concentrate on ITF tournaments to raise the ranking before using the protected ranking for one of the three remaining Slams this season.
The Rest Of The Squad
The squad named by Murray consists of Johanna Konta, Heather Watson, Katie Swan and the top British ladies doubles team of Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith. Other than the inclusion of Robson, the surprise addition is youngster Swan. The 16-year-old ended last season ranked third in the girls junior tour.
As always the aim of Murray when picking the team is to try and progress up the levels of the competition as they will contest in the Europe/Africa Zone Group I. The Brits narrowly missed out on promotion last season when they were beaten by Belarus in the promotion playoff.
The team will be hoping that they can replicate some of the British Davis Cup performances and make it up a division this year. They have a long way to go to hit the World Group, but the men managed to get to the World Group and win the entire Davis Cup in less than five years.
The tie takes place over the dates 3rd to 6th of February in Eliat, Israel. With the Brits hoping to win the promotion playoff this year to move up to the next group.