For Fed Cup read fed up: Tennis can do without this non-event

This week once again saw the return of Fed Cup competition to the women’s tour. 

The idea of Fed Cup is a strong one, in theory. Players get to compete in teams, working toward the glory of their country, getting a chance to see if their nation can rise above the rest. These, however, are just words, and that is where the benefits of Fed Cup end. Glory and nationalism only go so far when no one actually wants to play.

First of all, tennis is an increasingly individual sport. Except for the Russians and a few other countries where national pride is still a thing that people have, the lure of playing for your country in a competition that does not mean anything is losing its influence. 

Players are taught to look out for only themselves and rise to become the best person, not the best team. When, all of a sudden, players are asked to play on a team alongside their opponents, the mood shifts - it is unnatural.