Only Sultan – The German tennis players around Angelique Kerber will have to make do without Andrea Petkovic in the qualifying round in Kazakhstan for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
The 34-year-old is out of the team competition on Friday and Saturday with an adductor injury, according to the German Tennis Federation. The world No. 67 suffered the ailment in Indian Wells in March and the injury has worsened recently, it said.
“It is a great pity that Andrea is not here. She is always an important part of the team and has a lot of experience,” said team captain Rainer Schüttler. “But for now, the priority is that she cures her injury to get fit again as soon as possible.” The German team will not be making any additional nominations. Kerber, Laura Siegemund, Anna-Lena Friedsam and Jule Niemeier are preparing in Nur-Sultan. The 18-year-old Nastasja Schunk is there as a training partner and is normally scheduled to fly back to Germany on Thursday.
Kazakhstan is led by world number 19 Yelena Rybakina and Yulia Putintseva. The winner of the duel will qualify for the finals of the competition, formerly called Fed Cup, in November.
