Former player Kathy Rinaldi has been selected as the new captain of the US Fed Cup team following the resignation of Mary Joe Fernandez in October.
The nomination of the 49-year-old was one that many expected. Since her retirement, Rinaldi has become one of the most established coaches for the United States Tennis Association (USTA). In recent months her role as lead coach involved helping players ranked outside of the top 100 break into the elite on the tour.
Apart from becoming the new Fed Cup captain, Rinaldi has also acquired extra responsibilities for US tennis. Besides her role in player development, she will also work closely with American players on the WTA Tour throughout the year.
49-year-old Rinaldi won three WTA titles during her professional career and achieved a ranking high of seventh in May 1986. At the 1985 Wimbledon championships, she achieved her best performance in a major by reaching the semifinals.
The US Fed Cup team had been under Fernandez’s control for eight years. During that period, the country reached back-to-back finals in 2009 and 2010. Her decision to resign in October came after the expansion of the role of the captain, making it harder for Fernandez to fulfill her other commitments.
Seventeen-time champions America are the most decorated team in the Fed Cup, but they haven’t won a title since 2000. In 2017 they will return to the world group following their 4-0 triumph over Australia in the playoffs earlier this year.
Rinaldi’s first test as captain will occur in February when the USA faces Germany at the Royal Lahaina Resort in Maui.
