Anne Keothavong is relishing the chance to see what her players can do after naming her first Great Britain team as captain of the Fed Cup team.
British number one and world number ten Johanna Konta headlines the team alongside fellow Rio Olympian Heather Watson, London 2012 silver medallist Laura Robson and Great Britain’s top doubles player Jocelyn Rae.
The squad, which is allowed two changes before the final selection deadline on February 7, will travel to Tallinn, Estonia for their Europe/Africa Group 1 tie next month.
The round-robin pool matches will take place between February 8-10 with the winners competing in promotion play-offs on February 11 before the top two nations advance to the World Group II play-offs on April 22-23.
“I’m delighted to name the four players for my first tie as captain in Estonia,” said London 2012 Olympian Keothavong, who took over from Judy Murray as captain in December.
“In Johanna Konta we are lucky to have a player who is at the very top of the game right now. She will make a formidable opponent for any player.
“Along with Jo, we have fantastic experience in Heather and Laura, with nearly 40 Fed Cup rubbers between them, and Joss Rae gives us a strong doubles option.
“There are some great personalities in this line up and a robust team spirit will be key to supporting us through this tricky format.
“We are not underestimating the challenge in front of us, there are strong nations in this group, and our ambition has to be to progress and take this team where it belongs, into the World Group.”
Sportsbeat 2017