Phoenix’s Mattek-Sands reps U.S. in Fed Cup semis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Fed Cup, women’s tennis’ answer of the Davis Cup is down to the semifinals for this year.

The United States team, captained by Mary Joe Fernandez, will host Russia (and 6th-ranked singles player Elena Dementieva) this weekend at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena in Alabama. The team, at least currently, is comprised of Melanie Oudin, the 31st ranked singles player in the world, doubles specialist Liezel Huber (ranked #2 in the world), and the versatile Bethanie Mattek-Sands, a Valley resident who is playing in Fed Cup competition for the third time in her career.

There has been speculation that Fernandez could add Venus Williams to the roster in time for this weekend’s play, which would knock Mattek-Sands out of singles competition, and turn her into solely a doubles specialist against Russia. That move hasn’t occurred yet, but it is still a possibility.

I got a chance earlier this week to speak to Mattek-Sands about the Fed Cup, her role on this version of Team USA, and many other things.

On playing against highly ranked Russian Elena Dementieva:

I’ve played her in doubles, years and years ago, and I’ve seen her play a lot, so I feel like I know her game. It’s just a matter of me playing mine and seeing who wins.

On the uncertainty of her role heading into the weekend:

She (Team USA Captain Mary Joe Fernandez) left a spot open. I guess Venus (Williams) said she’s still not 100% sure if she will or won’t play. It’s tough, because I would be the one who’s out–Melanie Oudin’s obviously ranked ahead of me, so it would be Oudin and Venus playing singles. I’ll be prepared either way, and obviously if Venus plays, we get the #3 player in the world playing on our team. It’s just tough for me, on my schedule. If I wouldn’t have made the team initially, I would have been leaving for Stuttgart in a couple of days and playing matches there. I won doubles there last year, so I would be able to defend my points and be able to play singles there. So for me, it’s more about scheduling and I gave up my schedule to play on the team, because I’m really pumped up. I love playing Fed Cup. The last couple times, I’ve had a great time and I think we’ve had a great team. But that’s the only thing that would mess me up. I’m prepared either way.

On her recovery from 2009 hip surgery…

I actually feel better than I did before my surgery. My hip had affected me for, I’d say, a year before I even had the surgery. It finally got to the point where I’d just be walking down some stairs or walking along, and my hip would give out. So not only was hurting my playing career and my movement, but just normal life was starting to become pretty unbearable. Right now I feel like I’m moving great. I took another three months off at the end of last year, and I think that was the final piece of the puzzle that I needed to do.

On not being healthy for last year’s Fed Cup Finals vs. Italy…

I really wish I could have gone over there and played, but at the time I was struggling with my back a lot, so I could either take the time off or opt for another surgery, and I really didn’t want to opt for another surgery.

On the difference between playing Fed Cup and playing at a Grand Slam tournament…

It’s way different. When you’re playing your tournaments (on the WTA Tour), there’s still pressure, like if you’re playing Stadium Court at Wimbledon or the French Open, there’s nerves, but you’re still playing for yourself. If you lose, you’re the one who loses out on prize money, points, etcetera. But Fed Cup, you’re helping your team, you’re helping your country. It’s just a little different pressure. When I’ve played Fed Cup in the past vs. the Czech Republic last year and vs. France this year, it’s definitely a different kind of nerves. I’d like to say that I don’t get nervous a lot, I kind of like the excitement of being up or down in a match. Most of the people watching me are nervous, but when you’re on the court, you don’t feel as nervous. But Fed Cup, it’s a little different. It’s definitely a case of the more experience I get with it, the better I feel.

On playing with Liezel Huber, and making the adjustment to her as a partner…

It’s definitely a little bit of an adjustment. We’ve played with each other enough that we kind of know our strengths and weaknesses and all that. And that’s what the practice week is for, to get adjusted, to do some doubles drills. But it is tough because I haven’t been able to play doubles with her in a tournament. She’s normally played with Cara Black, and they just broke up recently, and they had been number one in the world for the last few years. I guess I’d say I’m more used to playing with different people, I’ve switched up a couple times this year and last year, and played with different partners so I want to say I’m getting better at adjusting. But Liezel’s a great player, she’s number one in the world so I listen a lot.

On being able to build chemistry with Huber in a dramatic doubles win vs. the Czech Republic in last year’s Fed Cup…

I didn’t see this, our team on the bench did, but the Czech team had actually brought out the champagne at 5-2 in the second set. It was their match point, and I actually had second serve, so it was as tight as you could get it. But we ended up fighting back and playing some great tennis. It was an amazing experience, especially since we were away. They had the most obnoxious band you could imagine in their stadium and it just drove you nuts. As a tennis player, I’m definitely not used to having friggin’ bands in the stadium. With the acoustics, you couldn’t even hear yourself think. That was really nerve-racking, but it was great to be able to fight through it.

Does she expect the home crowd in Birmingham, Alabama to add to the international feel this weekend?

I think so. I think they’ve seen enough Fed Cup play on The Tennis Channel to know that they can get a little rowdy. My brother actually goes to Florida State so he’s bringing a couple of his friends over there and I told them they can bring blow horns. So he’s getting all of his noise makers, so at least people from my family will being going nuts.

Will she be sporting any of her patented “wild” tennis outfits this weekend in Birmingham?

They actually make you wear a team uniform, our is a white top with navy blue bottoms, so I’ve got to stick to that. But, I’ve been wearing the knee-high socks pretty much this whole year, and I’ve found some red, white and blue ones that I’ll be sporting this weekend.

On calling Phoenix home…

I’ve been here a few years, I met my husband here. I came out here to work with my fitness trainer, and loved it out here, so this is officially home base. I’ve got a house and a closet here, so it’s perfect.

Since moving to Phoenix, has she become a fan of any of the local teams?

I haven’t been to any games, but a couple of the Cardinals train at the facility where I work out, so I got to train with Tim Hightower and Karlos Dansby and that was pretty cool. I can’t say I was a Cardinals’ fan before, I’m a big Packers fan, Brett Favre’s been my idol forever, but getting to know these guys and seeing them up close and personal made me follow the Cardinals a little bit more.

As a Packers fan, does she have any animosity towards Brett Favre for playing for the hated Minnesota Vikings?

Honestly, I still love love Brett Favre. I’m a huge Brett Favre fan. I’m a Packers fan, but I’m a Brett Favre fan. After the Packers lost (in the Playoffs to the Cardinals) I was actually rooting for he and the Vikings to go all the way.