The Russian Fed Cup team will have a new captain following the resignation of Anastasia Myskina.
On Sunday it was confirmed that the 36-year-old has stepped down from the role following a series of disappointing results in the team competition. Since 2016, Russia has only managed to win one out of five ties. Suffering losses to The Netherlands, Belarus, Belgium and most recently Slovakia earlier this year. They are four-time champions of the Fed Cup, but have been relegated to the second tier World Group Two for the past two years.
Myskina’s departure has been confirmed by Russian journalist Vladas Lasitskas. In an article written for the website Kommersant, the 2004 French Open champion told Lasitskas that she pondered her decision for a while. Myskina was first appointed captain of her country’s Fed Cup team towards the end of 2013.
“I wrote a letter of resignation,” said Myskina. “I had thought about this for a long time, I wanted to return the team to the World Group, and I’m sorry that as a result I could not do it.”
“In the failures of the national team, the captain is always to blame, so I take responsibility for the latest defeat.” She added.
According to Kommersant, the Russian Tennis Federation will address the resignation at an upcoming meeting on Monday, April 2nd.
It is reported that Igor Andreev will be the Captain for Russia’s clash against Latvia next month. Andreev is a former top 20 player that won a trio of ATP titles during the 2005 season.
“Unfortunately, for the past two and a half years, our women’s team did not show the results that fans count on. In a situation where only one of the last six matches has been won and the place is already at stake in the second World Group, we can not but accept the statement of Anastasia Myskina.” Russian tennis chief Shamil Tarpischev said in a statement.
It is expected the Myskina will continue her role as the vice-president of the Russian Tennis Federation. During her career as a player, she peaked at a high of No.2 in the world and won 10 WTA titles.
Russia will take on Latvia in Khanty-Mansiysk between April 21-22.
