Saddlebrook in Tampa Bay to Host Fed Cup Tennis Semifinals in April

The U.S. Fed Cup team in Hawaii in 2016

The Fed Cup is returning to Florida.

The USTA announced that the Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa Bay has been selected as the site for the 2017 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas World Group Semifinal between the United States and the Czech Republic on April 22-23, 2017. 

The U.S. reached the semifinals by defeating Germany in the first round 5-0 in Maui, Hawaii, earlier this year. The best-of-five match series begins on Saturday, April 22, with two singles matches. That is followed by two reverse singles matches and the doubles match on Sunday, April 23. Matches will be played on a temporary outdoor green clay court, and ticket information will be announced later this month.
 
The winner of the match-up will advance to the Fed Cup Final on Nov. 11-12. The U.S. Fed Cup team made its last appearance in the final in 2010, falling to Italy 3-1 in San Diego. The U.S. won the last of its record 17 Fed Cup titles in 2000. The Czech Republic has been dominant in Fed Cup in recent years, winning five titles in the last six years (2011-12, 2014-16).
 
“Saddlebrook is an iconic tennis venue, and we are very pleased that Fed Cup will be showcased here for the first time,” said USTA Chairman of the Board, CEO, and President Katrina Adams. “It will be a perfect site for our Fed Cup match-up against the Czech Republic in April and will be a great host for our players and fans. Florida fans are very enthusiastic about tennis and we look forward to playing for them as they cheer on Team USA to victory.”
 
Tampa Bay will be hosting Fed Cup for the first time. The U.S. Fed Cup team has never lost a tie played in Florida, holding a 4-0 record in the Sunshine State. The U.S. competed in Delray Beach in 2005, 2007 and 2013. It also competed in Aventura in 1995.

🇺🇸 and 🇨🇿 will be heading to the clay of Florida for the #FedCup semifinal! https://t.co/ax6yZnbZ0m pic.twitter.com/cwt07mhUR8

— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) March 7, 2017

The U.S. holds a 9-2 head-to-head record over the Czech Republic in Fed Cup play. U.S. Fed Cup Captain Kathy Rinaldi will select the four players to represent the U.S. no later than 10 days prior to the event. The Czech Republic is likely to be led by 2016 US Open finalist Karolina Pliskova and world No. 2 doubles player Lucie Safarova.
 
The site selection is subject to final approval by the International Tennis Federation. Tennis Channel will present live daily coverage of the World Group Semifinals. For more info go to www.usta.com/fedcup or www.fedcup.com.