Fed Cup
Encyclopedia
Fed Cup is the premier team competition in women's tennis
, launched in 1963
to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Tennis Federation
(ITF). The competition was known as the Federation Cup until 1995
.
The men's equivalent of the Fed Cup is the Davis Cup
.
came up with the concept for a women's team competition. When this was rejected, she instead presented a trophy in 1923 for an annual contest between the United States
and Great Britain
, who were at that time the strongest tennis-playing nations. Nell Hopman
, wife of the legendary Australian Davis Cup
Captain Harry Hopman
, later took up Mrs Wightman's original idea.
In 1962, when a British resident of the United States, Mary Hardwick Hare, presented a dossier proving that support for such an event was overwhelming, the ITF was persuaded that a team championship played over one week in a different venue each year was a 'good idea'. It had taken 40 years for Wightman’s idea of a women’s Davis Cup
to become a reality. Finally in 1963, the ITF launched the Federation Cup to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Open to all nations and not just USA and Great Britain, the much awaited competition became a resounding success.
Played over one week in a different venue each year, the inaugural event
attracted 16 countries. The competition was supported by the top players right from the start. Held at the Queen's Club
, in London
, the first contest between Australia
and the United States
set the tone with Grand Slam
champions Darlene Hard
, Billie Jean King
, Margaret Smith
and Lesley Turner
all proudly representing their country on court. The United States emerged the champion nation and has since put their mark on the competition, collecting a record 17 titles over the years.
That first Federation Cup had attracted entries from 16 teams, a respectable number considering that there was no prize money and teams had to meet their own expenses. Sponsorship would later enable this number to expand dramatically, first by the Colgate
Group in 1976, and, from 1981 to 1994 by the Japanese communications and computer giant NEC
. By 1994, 73 nations competed, and the host nation of a Federation Cup week was now required to build a special tennis complex, giving rise to what became known as the Federation Cup "legacy." In addition to the kudos of showcasing the premier international women's team competition, nations viewed their involvement as providing an unprecedented opportunity for their national game to develop.
The rise in entries led to the creation of regional qualifying competitions in 1992 and, subsequently in 1995
, the Federation Cup adopted a new format and shortened its name to the Fed Cup. Having seen the great success that the home-and-away format had achieved in Davis Cup, the format for the Fed Cup was changed in 1995 so that women, as well as men, could play for their country in their country. While the format has been adjusted several times since 1995, the current format, introduced in 2005
, incorporates an eight Nation World Group I and eight nation World Group II playing both home-and-away over three weekends throughout the year.
They reach World Group and World Group II as follows:
(a) World Group - the four nations that win their World Group first round tie remain in the World Group for the following year. First round losers contest the World Group Play-offs against the four winning nations from World Group II to determine relegation/promotion for the following year's competition. (The four nations that win World Group Play-offs will be in the World Group the following year, while the four losers will start the following year in World Group II.)
(b) World Group II - the four nations that win their World Group II ties will compete in the World Group I Play-Offs to determine relegation/promotion for the following year, as described above. Similarly the four nations that lose their World Group II ties will face winning nations from Group I Zonal competitions, in the World Group II Play-offs, to determine relegation/promotion. (The four nations that win their World Group II Play-offs will be in World Group II the following year, while the four losers will begin the next year in Group I Zonal events.)
Once in the World Group or World Group II, four nations will be seeded in each. The decision as to which nations will be seeded is made by the Fed Cup Committee, according to the ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking.
At the levels below the World Group and World Group II, the Fed Cup nations compete in Zonal Competition events, which are split into three zones: The Americas Zone, the Asia/Oceania Zone and the Europe/Africa Zone. In each zone there are two groups, Group I being the higher and Group II the lower, except for the Europe/Africa Zone, which also has a Group III.
Within the Group zonal regions, teams are split into pools and play against each other in a round robin format. The exact format of each Group event, and promotion and relegation between them, varies according to the number of participating teams. Please check the relevant tie pages for details of that year's competitions.
However, two teams are always promoted from Europe/Africa Group I to that year's World Group II Play-Offs, while one team each go to the World Group II Play-Offs from Americas Group I and Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.
In Zonal Groups I, II and III, ties are played over the best of three matches (two singles and a doubles).
The First Round Ties in the World Group and World Group II are played on a home and away knock-out basis, and take place over a weekend in the early part of the year.
World Group Semifinals and Final are played over on a home and away knock-out basis, and take place over a weekend in July (Semifinals) and September (Final).
Play-Off ties for World Group and World Group II will also be played on a home and away knock-out basis taking place in July.
The choice of ground for First Round, Semifinals and Play-Off ties is decided by lot or goes automatically to one of the competing nations.
As Groups I, II and III are played in a round robin format in all three zones, each event takes place at a single venue over one week. These are held in the first half of the year (to allow promotion of teams to the World Group II Play-Off ties in the second half of the year), and dates and venues are decided by the Fed Cup Committee.
1Players must now be aged 14 and over
Complete rankings as of November 7, 2011
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
, launched in 1963
1963 Federation Cup (tennis)
The 1963 Federation Cup was the first edition of what is now known as the Fed Cup. The tournament was created provide a team competition for women, similar to the Davis Cup men's competition. 16 nations participated in the first event, which was held at the Queen's Club in London, United Kingdom,...
to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the International Tennis Federation
International Tennis Federation
The International Tennis Federation is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national tennis associations.It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913...
(ITF). The competition was known as the Federation Cup until 1995
1995 Fed Cup
The 1995 Fed Cup was the 33rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis, and the first to bear the name Fed Cup. Major changes to the tournament's structure went into effect for 1995. The format was changed to a multi-tiered league system similar to the...
.
The men's equivalent of the Fed Cup is the Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
.
History
The idea for the event can be traced back to 1919, when Hazel Hotchkiss WightmanHazel Hotchkiss Wightman
Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman was an American tennis player.-Personal life:Wightman was born in Healdsburg, California and married George Wightman of Boston in 1912. She died in Newton, Massachusetts...
came up with the concept for a women's team competition. When this was rejected, she instead presented a trophy in 1923 for an annual contest between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, who were at that time the strongest tennis-playing nations. Nell Hopman
Nell Hall Hopman
Eleanor "Nell" Mary Hall Hopman was one of the female tennis players that dominated Australian tennis from 1930 through the early 1960s...
, wife of the legendary Australian Davis Cup
Australia Davis Cup team
The Australian Davis Cup team is the second most successful team ever to compete in the Davis Cup, winning the coveted title on 23 separate occasions, second behind the United States with 32....
Captain Harry Hopman
Harry Hopman
Henry Christian Hopman, CBE was a world-acclaimed Australian-American tennis player and coach, born in Glebe, Sydney, New South Wales, and soon moving to Parramatta, a city adjoining Sydney and now effectively a suburb of the metropolis.Hopman was a student at Rosehill Public Primary school...
, later took up Mrs Wightman's original idea.
In 1962, when a British resident of the United States, Mary Hardwick Hare, presented a dossier proving that support for such an event was overwhelming, the ITF was persuaded that a team championship played over one week in a different venue each year was a 'good idea'. It had taken 40 years for Wightman’s idea of a women’s Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
to become a reality. Finally in 1963, the ITF launched the Federation Cup to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Open to all nations and not just USA and Great Britain, the much awaited competition became a resounding success.
Played over one week in a different venue each year, the inaugural event
1963 Federation Cup (tennis)
The 1963 Federation Cup was the first edition of what is now known as the Fed Cup. The tournament was created provide a team competition for women, similar to the Davis Cup men's competition. 16 nations participated in the first event, which was held at the Queen's Club in London, United Kingdom,...
attracted 16 countries. The competition was supported by the top players right from the start. Held at the Queen's Club
Queen's Club
The Queen's Club is a private sporting club in West Kensington, London, England. Founded in 1886, the Queen's Club was the world's first multipurpose sports complex and named after Queen Victoria, its first patron...
, in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, the first contest between Australia
Australia Fed Cup team
The Australia Fed Cup team represents Australia in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by Tennis Australia. They currently compete in the World Group I.-History:...
and the United States
United States Fed Cup team
The United States Fed Cup team is the most successful national team in Fed Cup competition. The team has won 17 titles and finished second a further 9 times, out of 44 participations.-History:...
set the tone with Grand Slam
Grand Slam (tennis)
The four Major tennis tournaments, also called the Slams, are the most important tennis events of the year in terms of world tour ranking points, tradition, prize-money awarded, strength and size of player field, and public attention. They are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and...
champions Darlene Hard
Darlene Hard
Darlene Hard is an American former amateur tennis player. Known for her volleying ability and strong serves, she captured singles titles at the French Championships in 1960 and the U.S...
, Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is a former professional tennis player from the United States. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. King has been an advocate against sexism in sports and society...
, Margaret Smith
Margaret Smith Court
Margaret Court, AO MBE, is a retired former World No. 1 tennis player from Australia. In 1970, she became the first woman during the open era and the second woman in history to win all four Grand Slam tournament singles titles in the same calendar year. Court won a record 24 of those titles during...
and Lesley Turner
Lesley Turner Bowrey
Lesley Rosemary Turner Bowrey AM is an Australian female tennis player.Bowrey won 13 Grand Slam titles during her career: two in singles, seven in women's doubles, and four in mixed doubles. She lost in the final of 14 other Grand Slam events.Bowrey twice won the singles title at the French...
all proudly representing their country on court. The United States emerged the champion nation and has since put their mark on the competition, collecting a record 17 titles over the years.
That first Federation Cup had attracted entries from 16 teams, a respectable number considering that there was no prize money and teams had to meet their own expenses. Sponsorship would later enable this number to expand dramatically, first by the Colgate
Colgate-Palmolive
Colgate-Palmolive Company is an American diversified multinational corporation focused on the production, distribution and provision of household, health care and personal products, such as soaps, detergents, and oral hygiene products . Under its "Hill's" brand, it is also a manufacturer of...
Group in 1976, and, from 1981 to 1994 by the Japanese communications and computer giant NEC
NEC
, a Japanese multinational IT company, has its headquarters in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. NEC, part of the Sumitomo Group, provides information technology and network solutions to business enterprises, communications services providers and government....
. By 1994, 73 nations competed, and the host nation of a Federation Cup week was now required to build a special tennis complex, giving rise to what became known as the Federation Cup "legacy." In addition to the kudos of showcasing the premier international women's team competition, nations viewed their involvement as providing an unprecedented opportunity for their national game to develop.
The rise in entries led to the creation of regional qualifying competitions in 1992 and, subsequently in 1995
1995 Fed Cup
The 1995 Fed Cup was the 33rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis, and the first to bear the name Fed Cup. Major changes to the tournament's structure went into effect for 1995. The format was changed to a multi-tiered league system similar to the...
, the Federation Cup adopted a new format and shortened its name to the Fed Cup. Having seen the great success that the home-and-away format had achieved in Davis Cup, the format for the Fed Cup was changed in 1995 so that women, as well as men, could play for their country in their country. While the format has been adjusted several times since 1995, the current format, introduced in 2005
2005 Fed Cup
The 2005 Fed Cup was the 43rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 76 nations participated in the tournament...
, incorporates an eight Nation World Group I and eight nation World Group II playing both home-and-away over three weekends throughout the year.
Tournament
While many nations enter the Fed Cup each year, only 16 countries qualify for the elite World Group and World Group II each year (eight in World Group and eight in World Group II).They reach World Group and World Group II as follows:
(a) World Group - the four nations that win their World Group first round tie remain in the World Group for the following year. First round losers contest the World Group Play-offs against the four winning nations from World Group II to determine relegation/promotion for the following year's competition. (The four nations that win World Group Play-offs will be in the World Group the following year, while the four losers will start the following year in World Group II.)
(b) World Group II - the four nations that win their World Group II ties will compete in the World Group I Play-Offs to determine relegation/promotion for the following year, as described above. Similarly the four nations that lose their World Group II ties will face winning nations from Group I Zonal competitions, in the World Group II Play-offs, to determine relegation/promotion. (The four nations that win their World Group II Play-offs will be in World Group II the following year, while the four losers will begin the next year in Group I Zonal events.)
Once in the World Group or World Group II, four nations will be seeded in each. The decision as to which nations will be seeded is made by the Fed Cup Committee, according to the ITF Fed Cup Nations Ranking.
At the levels below the World Group and World Group II, the Fed Cup nations compete in Zonal Competition events, which are split into three zones: The Americas Zone, the Asia/Oceania Zone and the Europe/Africa Zone. In each zone there are two groups, Group I being the higher and Group II the lower, except for the Europe/Africa Zone, which also has a Group III.
Within the Group zonal regions, teams are split into pools and play against each other in a round robin format. The exact format of each Group event, and promotion and relegation between them, varies according to the number of participating teams. Please check the relevant tie pages for details of that year's competitions.
However, two teams are always promoted from Europe/Africa Group I to that year's World Group II Play-Offs, while one team each go to the World Group II Play-Offs from Americas Group I and Asia/Oceania Zone Group I.
Ties
In World Group and World Group II, and World Group and World Group II Play-Off ties, each tie is contested in a best of five matches format, and is played across two days. On the first day there are two singles matches, and then the reverse singles matches take place on the following day. The final match is a doubles.In Zonal Groups I, II and III, ties are played over the best of three matches (two singles and a doubles).
The First Round Ties in the World Group and World Group II are played on a home and away knock-out basis, and take place over a weekend in the early part of the year.
World Group Semifinals and Final are played over on a home and away knock-out basis, and take place over a weekend in July (Semifinals) and September (Final).
Play-Off ties for World Group and World Group II will also be played on a home and away knock-out basis taking place in July.
The choice of ground for First Round, Semifinals and Play-Off ties is decided by lot or goes automatically to one of the competing nations.
As Groups I, II and III are played in a round robin format in all three zones, each event takes place at a single venue over one week. These are held in the first half of the year (to allow promotion of teams to the World Group II Play-Off ties in the second half of the year), and dates and venues are decided by the Fed Cup Committee.
Team
| Country | |Years Won | |Runners Up |
|---|---|---|
| 1963, 1966, 1967, 1969, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1989, 1990, 1996 1996 Fed Cup The 1996 Fed Cup was the 34th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 8 teams competed in the World Group and 87 nations competed in total... , 1999 1999 Fed Cup The 1999 Fed Cup was the 37th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 95 nations participated in the tournament... , 2000 2000 Fed Cup The 2000 Fed Cup was the 38th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. Changes were made to the World Group; there was one group of 13 teams, rather than two groups as in the past. The group played in three round-robin pools, with the winner of each pool... (17) |
1964, 1965, 1974, 1985, 1987, 1991, 1994, 1995 1995 Fed Cup The 1995 Fed Cup was the 33rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis, and the first to bear the name Fed Cup. Major changes to the tournament's structure went into effect for 1995. The format was changed to a multi-tiered league system similar to the... , 2003 2003 Fed Cup The 2003 Fed Cup was the 41st edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 79 nations participated in the tournament... , 2009 2009 Fed Cup The 2009 Fed Cup was the 47th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis... , 2010 2010 Fed Cup The 2010 Fed Cup was the 48th edition of the tournament between national teams in women's tennis. The final took place on 6–7 November in San Diego, United States. Italy successfully defended their title, in a rematch of the 2009 final against the United States... (11) |
|
| 1964, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974 (7) | 1963, 1969, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1993 (10) | |
| |
1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 2011 2011 Fed Cup The 2011 Fed Cup is the 49th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis... (6) |
1986 (1) |
| 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995 1995 Fed Cup The 1995 Fed Cup was the 33rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis, and the first to bear the name Fed Cup. Major changes to the tournament's structure went into effect for 1995. The format was changed to a multi-tiered league system similar to the... , 1998 1998 Fed Cup The 1998 Fed Cup was the 36th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 97 nations participated in the tournament... (5) |
1989, 1992, 1996 1996 Fed Cup The 1996 Fed Cup was the 34th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 8 teams competed in the World Group and 87 nations competed in total... , 2000 2000 Fed Cup The 2000 Fed Cup was the 38th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. Changes were made to the World Group; there was one group of 13 teams, rather than two groups as in the past. The group played in three round-robin pools, with the winner of each pool... , 2002 2002 Fed Cup The 2002 Fed Cup was the 40th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The World Group was revamped once again, this time as a 16-team knockout tournament, much like the Davis Cup format. 83 nations participated in the tournament... , 2008 2008 Fed Cup The 2008 Fed Cup was the 46th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis. 8 teams contested the World Group, and 85 teams competed in total... (6) |
|
| / |
2004 2004 Fed Cup The 2004 Fed Cup was the 42nd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 77 nations participated in the tournament... , 2005 2005 Fed Cup The 2005 Fed Cup was the 43rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 76 nations participated in the tournament... , 2007 2007 Fed Cup The 2007 Fed Cup is the 45th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis. 74 nations participated in the tournament... , 2008 2008 Fed Cup The 2008 Fed Cup was the 46th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis. 8 teams contested the World Group, and 85 teams competed in total... (4) |
1988, 1990, 1999 1999 Fed Cup The 1999 Fed Cup was the 37th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 95 nations participated in the tournament... , 2001 2001 Fed Cup The 2001 Fed Cup was the 39th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The World Group was reduced to 8 teams, divided into two pools, with the winners meeting in the finals. 90 nations participated in the tournament. The World Group was held at the... , 2011 2011 Fed Cup The 2011 Fed Cup is the 49th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis... (5) |
| 2006 2006 Fed Cup The 2006 Fed Cup was the 44th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. A total of 76 nations participated in the tournament... , 2009 2009 Fed Cup The 2009 Fed Cup was the 47th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis... , 2010 2010 Fed Cup The 2010 Fed Cup was the 48th edition of the tournament between national teams in women's tennis. The final took place on 6–7 November in San Diego, United States. Italy successfully defended their title, in a rematch of the 2009 final against the United States... (3) |
2007 2007 Fed Cup The 2007 Fed Cup is the 45th edition of the most important tournament between national teams in women's tennis. 74 nations participated in the tournament... (1) |
|
| / |
1987, 1992 (2) | 1966, 1970, 1982, 1983 (4) |
| 1997 1997 Fed Cup The 1997 Fed Cup was the 35th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 8 nations competed in the World Group and 96 nations competed in total... , 2003 2003 Fed Cup The 2003 Fed Cup was the 41st edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 79 nations participated in the tournament... (2) |
2004 2004 Fed Cup The 2004 Fed Cup was the 42nd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 77 nations participated in the tournament... , 2005 2005 Fed Cup The 2005 Fed Cup was the 43rd edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 76 nations participated in the tournament... (2) |
|
| 1972 (1) | 1973 (1) | |
| 2001 2001 Fed Cup The 2001 Fed Cup was the 39th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The World Group was reduced to 8 teams, divided into two pools, with the winners meeting in the finals. 90 nations participated in the tournament. The World Group was held at the... (1) |
2006 2006 Fed Cup The 2006 Fed Cup was the 44th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. A total of 76 nations participated in the tournament... (1) |
|
| 2002 2002 Fed Cup The 2002 Fed Cup was the 40th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. The World Group was revamped once again, this time as a 16-team knockout tournament, much like the Davis Cup format. 83 nations participated in the tournament... (1) |
(0) | |
| (0) | 1967, 1971, 1972, 1981 (4) | |
| (0) | 1968, 1997 1997 Fed Cup The 1997 Fed Cup was the 35th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 8 nations competed in the World Group and 96 nations competed in total... (2) |
|
| (0) | 1998 1998 Fed Cup The 1998 Fed Cup was the 36th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 97 nations participated in the tournament... (1) |
- Consecutive titles
- All-time: 7, United StatesUnited States Fed Cup teamThe United States Fed Cup team is the most successful national team in Fed Cup competition. The team has won 17 titles and finished second a further 9 times, out of 44 participations.-History:...
, 1976-1982
- All-time: 7, United States
- Consecutive finals appearances
- All-time: 8, AustraliaAustralia Fed Cup teamThe Australia Fed Cup team represents Australia in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by Tennis Australia. They currently compete in the World Group I.-History:...
, 1973-1980
- All-time: 8, Australia
- Most number of games in a tie
- All-time: 172, FranceFrance Fed Cup teamThe France Fed Cup team represents France in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Fédération Française de Tennis. They currently compete in the World Group.-Current Team:* Alizé Cornet* Mathilde Johansson* Pauline Parmentier...
4-1 JapanJapan Fed Cup teamThe Japan Fed Cup team represents Japan in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Japan Tennis Association. They currently compete in the World Group.-Current team:*Kimiko Date Krumm *Ayumi Morita *Rika Fujiwara...
, 19971997 Fed CupThe 1997 Fed Cup was the 35th edition of the most important competition between national teams in women's tennis. 8 nations competed in the World Group and 96 nations competed in total...
World Group first round
- All-time: 172, France
Individual
- Youngest player
- Denise Panagopoulou; GreeceGreece Fed Cup teamThe Greece Fed Cup team represents Greece in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Hellenic Tennis Federation. They currently compete in the Europe/Africa Zone of Group III.-History:Greece competed in its first Fed Cup in 1968...
; 12 years, 360 days1
- Denise Panagopoulou; Greece
- Oldest player
- Gill Butterfield; BermudaBermuda Fed Cup teamThe Bermuda Fed Cup team represents Bermuda in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association. They currently compete in the Americas Zone of Group II.-History:...
; 52 years, 162 days
- Gill Butterfield; Bermuda
- Most rubbers played
- 100, Arantxa Sánchez VicarioArantxa Sánchez VicarioAránzazu 'Arantxa' Isabel Maria Sánchez Vicario is a Spanish former professional tennis player...
, SpainSpain Fed Cup teamThe Spain Fed Cup team represents Spain in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Real Federación Española de Tenis. They currently compete in the World Group.-Current team:* María José Martínez Sánchez...
- 100, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario
- Most ties played
- 61, Anna SmashnovaAnna SmashnovaAnna Smashnova is a former professional tennis player from Israel. She retired from professional tennis after Wimbledon 2007.Smashnova, who has been noted as having a great last name for a tennis player, reached her career-high singles ranking of World # 15 in 2003. She was in 13 finals, and won...
, IsraelIsrael Fed Cup teamThe Israel Fed Cup team is the representative national team of Israel in Fed Cup competition. In the 2007 Fed Cup, they qualified from the World Group II and World Group Play-offs to reach the elite World Group for the first time in the team's history. They will participate within this group at... - 61, Tzipora ObzilerTzipora ObzilerTzipora Obziler is a former professional right-handed tennis player.She reached her career-high singles world ranking of #75 in on July 8, 2007, and doubles ranking of #149 on April 10, 2000....
, IsraelIsrael Fed Cup teamThe Israel Fed Cup team is the representative national team of Israel in Fed Cup competition. In the 2007 Fed Cup, they qualified from the World Group II and World Group Play-offs to reach the elite World Group for the first time in the team's history. They will participate within this group at...
- 61, Anna Smashnova
- Most rubbers won
- Total: 72, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Spain
- Singles: 50, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Spain
- Doubles: 38, Larisa NeilandLarisa NeilandLarisa Savchenko Neiland is a former tennis player who represented Latvia. A former number-one ranked doubles player, Neiland won two women's doubles Grand Slam titles. She also won two singles titles and sixty-five doubles titles.-Career:Neiland turned professional in 1983...
, Soviet UnionRussia Fed Cup teamThe Russia Fed Cup team represents Russia in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Russian Tennis Federation. They currently compete in the World Group.- Current Team :* Maria Sharapova * Elena Vesnina...
/LatviaLatvia Fed Cup teamThe Latvia Fed Cup team represents Latvia in Fed Cup tennis competition and are governed by the Latvian Tennis Union. They currently compete in the Europe/Africa Zone of Group II.-History:...
1Players must now be aged 14 and over
Current rankings
| Rank | Nation | Points | Previous | Rank | Nation | Points | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27,837.5 | [1] | 11 | 3,950.0 | [11] | ||
| 2 | 24,650.0 | [3] | 12 | 3,655.0 | [12] | ||
| 3 | 20,120.0 | [2] | 13 | 3,445.0 | [13] | ||
| 4 | 13,912.5 | [4] | 14 | 3,267.5 | [14] | ||
| 5 | 7,775.0 | [5] | 15 | 3,200.0 | [15] | ||
| 6 | 7,157.5 | [6] | 16 | 2,907.5 | [16] | ||
| 7 | 6,115.0 | [7] | 17 | 2,500.0 | [17] | ||
| 8 | 6,070.0 | [8] | 18 | 2,425.0 | [18] | ||
| 9 | 5,655.0 | [9] | 19 | 2,315.0 | [19] | ||
| 10 | 4,175.0 | [10] | 20 | 1,932.5 | [20] | ||
Complete rankings as of November 7, 2011
See also
- Fed Cup structureFed Cup structureThe Fed Cup tennis competition is structured around a number of groups, with promotion and relegation between them.At the top is the World Group I, which competes in a knockout competition. Below that it becomes World Group II. Below the World Group II are the regional zones, with an American Zone,...
- List of Fed Cup champions
- International Tennis FederationInternational Tennis FederationThe International Tennis Federation is the governing body of world tennis, made up of 205 national tennis associations.It was established as the International Lawn Tennis Federation by 12 national associations meeting at a conference in Paris, France on 1 March 1913...
- Davis CupDavis CupThe Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
- Hopman CupHopman CupThe Hopman Cup is an annual international team tennis tournament held in Perth, Western Australia in early January each year, which plays mixed teams on a country by country basis...