France's Garcia recalled to Fed Cup team after two-year exile

World number 19 Caroline Garcia was selected alongside Kristina Mladenovic and Alize Cornet, two players with whom she fell out after withdrawing from Fed Cup duty at the start of 2017.

Published : Jan 29, 2019 20:31 IST

Caroline Garcia is currently France's highest-ranked player.
Caroline Garcia is currently France's highest-ranked player.
lightbox-info

Caroline Garcia is currently France's highest-ranked player.

Carolina Garcia, France's highest-ranked player, has been called up for next week's Fed Cup tie against Belgium after a two-year absence from the competition.

World number 19 Garcia was selected on Tuesday alongside Kristina Mladenovic and Alize Cornet, two players with whom she fell out after withdrawing from Fed Cup duty at the start of 2017.

After severing her successful doubles relationship with Mladenovic, Garcia pulled out of a subsequent Fed Cup tie despite having stated she did not want to play in the event that year.

“It's inconceivable to me to not pick her, as the best French player... I wanted to select the best team possible,” said coach Julien Benneteau, the successor to Yannick Noah as Fed Cup captain.

Garcia last played in the competition in 2016 when France lost the final 3-2 to the Czech Republic in Strasbourg after she and Mladenovic were beaten in the decisive doubles rubber.

However, Benneteau was unable to guarantee that Garcia would definitely return for the quarterfinal tie with Belgium in Liege on February 9 and 10.

“She knows she's selected and is assured the girls, the other players, are waiting for her return and that the staff will do everything to make her feel good,” he said.

The France team also includes Pauline Parmentier and Fiona Ferro.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment