The team is formed of Britain’s two top female players – Jo Konta and Heather Watson – as well as rising stars Katie Boulter, Katie Swan and Harriet Dart – we’re hoping for big results in Bath this week.
For the first time in 26 years, Great Britain is co-hosting (along with Poland) The Fed Cup – a tournament that has been dubbed as the “world cup of women’s tennis” – and Team GB are hoping for a home tie in order to bring women’s tennis into the limelight. We love supporting amazing, inspirational women, so we’ve got our fingers crossed for the girls in anticipation.
We all know about Wimbledon, The Davis Cup and The Opens… but what about the Fed Cup?
In true celebration of girl power, GLAMOUR chatted to Team GB ahead of this week’s tournament to chat all things health, fitness and female empowerment – and we’re feeling inspired.
So what is the Fed Cup where can we watch?
The Fed Cup by BNP Paribas sees female teams from over 100 countries compete for eight spots in the elite World Group, all for the chance to lift the Fed Cup trophy. Great Britain will be one of eight nations competing at the University of Bath this week (6 – 9 February), with each team vying for a place in April’s World Group II Play-Offs.
You can watch live on BT Sport or via British Tennis Facebook page (@britishtennisLTA)
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Why should more women get involved in tennis?
It’s a fun, sociable sport you can play all-year round, and it’s a great workout too! We’re hoping having this Fed Cup tie at home will help to open up our sport and inspire women (and men! ) of all ages and backgrounds to pick up a racket and give it a go.
There are lots of ways you can get involved, head to lta. org. uk/play to find your nearest park court or club.
What is a typical day in your training regime?
Training can vary from day-to-day but it usually involves some mobility work and some warm-up exercises in the gym, followed by HIIT on court. After lunch, it’ll be a fitness session, then some physio to recover.
What is a day on your plate?
We try to ensure we eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fat protein for muscle recovery. A typical day tends to start with poached eggs on toast, with fruit. Lunch is often fish or chicken with vegetables wholegrain rice or pasta. Dinner is usually similar. Water is key too – we drink around 3-4 litres p/day if we’re training.
What is a typical workout?
Workouts will typically focus on strength and power development. The sessions will generally consist of lower body exercises (squats, deadlifts, pull ups and rows), but can vary day-to-day.
What more would you love to see for women’s tennis?
For us, it’s not about women’s tennis and men’s tennis, it’s just tennis. We want to grow the game and inspire men and women of any age and background to pick up a racket and play. Like Billie Jean King says “every young girl and boy out there needs to know that you will have exactly the same opportunities and be treated equally in any profession regardless of your gender. ”
Have any celebs been supportive?
Yes – we’ve had a lot of support for this event! Sue Barker, Clare Balding, Miranda Hart, Aimee Fuller Amy Williams all took time out to film us a good luck message. The support from fans has been amazing too! We can’t wait to play in front of a home crowd and hear the fans cheering us on!
