2024 Finals: Spotlight on Czechia
01/10/2024 11:23
Czechia is one of the most successful nations in the history of the women's World Cup of Tennis - especially in recent years under the stewardship of Petr Pala
By Kevin Palmer
CZECHIA
Ranking: 2
Champions: 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1988, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018
THE HISTORY
Czechoslovakia won the Billie Jean King Cup five times between 1975 and 1988 and the team's victory in 2011 was the first as the Czech Republic.
That win made this nation the second most successful in the history of the competition, with the USA the only nation to win more titles (18).
They have gone on to enjoy great success under captain Petr Pala in recent years, with their most recent win in 2018 coming after a victory in the Final against the USA in Prague.
RECORD BREAKERS
Helena Sukova dominates the records for Czechia, as she has the most total wins (57), the most singles wins (45) and the most ties played (54).
Martina Navratilova has won more doubles matches than any other player for this nation and she added to her legacy in the competition after becoming an American citizen in 1981.
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Czechia qualified for this year's Finals in Malaga via a wild card, ensuring they did not need to play in the Qualifiers in April.
MEET THE CAPTAIN - Petr Pala
Pala's playing career saw him reach the 2001 French Open final alongside partner Pavel Vizner, with the pair also reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon that year.
He has gone on to enjoy a fine coaching career and is the most successful captain in the history of the Billie Jean King Cup, winning the title in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
After going close to adding another title to his record after the run to last year's semi-finals in Seville, Pala is eager to get over the winning line in Malaga.
"I remember when I was a child that I had a dream to win Wimbledon, but it never happened," said Pala.
"Now I have had a great career as a captain of this team and it was a surprise when I was first asked to do the job. I was still on tour and playing at the time. I was only 33, but I was very happy to get the chance.
"We have had some great moments and I hope I still have something to give to the team and if they are happy for me to do it, I'm here.
"Our last title was 2018. This was like a fairy tale that we won the title at home with a sell-out crowd in Prague.
"Now we have a great team again. They are hungry to be in the finals and we will see what will happen."
WHO'S IN THE TEAM?
Czechia always have plenty of options to pick from and captain Pala named a strong team that will see Linda Noskova, Katerina Siniakova, Marie Bouzkova and Karolina Muchova head to Malaga with their sights set on winning the Billie Jean King Cup.
Muchova will be a player to watch after an impressive run of form in recent months culminated with a run to the US Open semi-finals, where she was beaten by USA's Jessica Pegula.
The 2023 France Open runner-up also made it through to the last four at the US Open last year before she was then struck down by a wrist injury that ruled her out for several months.
Noskova will also head into the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on a high after a year that has seen her win a WTA 500 title in Mexico in August, reach the Australian Open quarter-finals last January and achieve her career-high ranking.
Siniakova is a wonderful option for captain Pala to have in Malaga after a sparkling season that saw her rise to the world No. 1 doubles rankings after wins in the French Open final with partner Coco Gauff and the Wimbledon final alongside Taylor Townsend.
