Billie Jean King Cup: Niemeier, Maria lead Porsche Team Germany against Brazil
The German team for the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers on April 14th and 15th in Stuttgart has been decided. Captain Rainer Schüttler has nominated Tatjana Maria, Jule Niemeier, Anna-Lena Friedsam, Eva Lys and Laura Siegemund for the Porsche Team Germany. The team will play against Brazil with a proven line-up.
by p.m
last edit: Mar 17, 2023, 12:40 pm
"We're going to play with our currently best team. The girls all agreed to be there straight away and are really looking forward to playing at home. The atmosphere is very positive - the team spirit was great in Croatia," says Schüttler.
In November, Porsche Team Germany secured a spot in the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers with a 3-1 victory in Rijeka. Apart from Wimbledon semi-finalist Tatjana Maria (WTA 70), who had to cancel at short notice due to injury, all the nominees were also there against Croatia. There were three individual debuts in the German team at that time: Jule Niemeier (WTA 72), Anna-Lena Friedsam (WTA 98), who has just made it back into the top 100, and Eva Lys (WTA 118) got her Premiere the necessary three points. Lys also has good memories of the venue in Stuttgart - she was able to score her first WTA main draw points in the Porsche Arena in 2022.
Team manager Schüttler with regard to the game: “Brazil are not easy opponents. Especially top star Beatriz Haddad Maia, currently number 13 in the world, is strong and will certainly challenge us.” The 26-year-old is also very successful in doubles (WTA double 26). These days she is alongside Laura Siegemund (WTA Double 28) at the 1000 tournament in Indian Wells in the doubles semifinals. Before local hero Siegemund and the Brazilian face each other in April, they are currently fighting for points together.