The United States Tennis Association announced on Monday that former doubles partners Zina Garrison and Mary Joe Fernandez will serve as captain and coach of the US Fed Cup Team, respectively, for 2008. In addition, Fernandez will take over as captain in 2009.

 

The US will play Germany in the Fed Cup quarterfinals on Feb. 2-3 at La Jolla, Calif. Although the team has not yet been named, possible participants include Davenport, and Venus and Serena Williams.

 

"I anticipate an exciting final year as captain in the hopes of bringing the Fed Cup home to the US," said Garrison, the captain since 2004.

 

"Fed Cup was one of the most important and memorable times of my career," said Fernandez, who was a member of the winning team in 1996 that defeated Spain 5-0 in the final.

 

The 36-year-old Fernandez reached the singles final at three Grand Slams and won two major doubles titles during her professional career. She also won two Olympic gold medals in doubles.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2007)