2024 Finals: Spotlight on Slovakia
28/10/2024 13:09
Slovakian tennis is daring to dream once again as their team is back in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals after missing out on last year's final in Seville
By Kevin Palmer
SLOVAKIA
Ranking: 11
Champions: 2002
THE HISTORY
Slovakia's greatest moment in this competition came in 2002, when they beat France in the quarter-finals, Italy in the semi-finals and then lifted the title with a win against Spain in Gran Canaria.
Daniela Hantuchova and Janette Husarova were the heroes who brought the biggest prize in the women's team tennis game back to Slovakia.
RECORD BREAKERS
The 2002 Billie Jean King Cup-winning duo of Daniela Hantuchova and Janette Husarova dominate the record books for Slovakia.
Hantuchova has the most total wins (38) and the most singles wins (32) and she also has played the most ties for Slovakia (32) and the most years (16).
Husarova has the most doubles wins (12) and she is also Slovakia's oldest competitor in this competition, aged 39 when she played her last match in 2014.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
After narrowly losing out to eventual runners-up Italy in the 2023 Qualifiers, Slovakia had to come through a tough play-off match against Argentina last November.
Viktoria Hruncakova led the way with two singles wins as Slovakia recorded a 3-1 win and they then booked their place in the Malaga Finals with a 4-0 win against neighbours Slovenia in the Qualifiers last April.
That tie was notable for a fine contribution from teenager Renata Jamrichova, as the 2024 Australian Open and Wimbledon junior champion marked her second appearance in the competition by sealing victory in the tie with a win against Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec.
MEET THE CAPTAIN - Matej Liptak
Matej Liptak is Slovakia's longest-serving Billie Jean King Cup captain and he is relishing the chance to lead his team into battle in Malaga.
"For many years, we couldn't play in the Finals," said Liptak. "It wasn't always easy to stay in the Qualifiers group, but in the last four years, we will have played the final three times.
"This group of players love to play for their country and love to play team competitions. We are looking forward to the tournament and we are looking forward to the Finals."
WHO'S IN THE TEAM?
Teenager Renata Jamrichova has made a vital contribution to Slovakia's return to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, winning her first two singles matches to help seal victories in the Play-Offs and Qualifiers.
Captain Liptak has included Jamrichova in his squad for Malaga and is impressed by her maturity.
"In the half year since she played her first match in the Billie Jean King Cup, she had won the Australian Open juniors and one tournament in women's tennis, so she has improved to be a much better player," said Liptak.
"Every half year, every month, she had improved. Her potential is unbelievable. She had great defence and great offence. She has everything."
Jamrichova gave her reaction to the win in a post-match interview in front of a big crowd following her win against Slovenia's Veronika Erjavec last April.
"I was really excited and on the other hand a bit nervous," she said. "She (Erjavec) is a good runner and I knew she would serve to my backhand.
"I wanted to just play my game. Be solid from the back and I was happy that I didn't make so many unforced errors."
Rebecca Sramkova, Anna Schmiedlova and Viktoria Hruncakova provide experience to the Slovakia team heading to Malaga, with Tereza Mihalikova offering doubles expertise.
