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	<title>Comments on: Open Forum Friday: How Important is Fed Cup to You?</title>
	<link>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/</link>
	<description>Women's Professional Tennis News, Results, and Commentary</description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2008 02:06:05 +0000</pubDate>
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		<title>By: rachel Lee</title>
		<link>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19426</link>
		<dc:creator>rachel Lee</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:46:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19426</guid>
		<description>since I too regard tennis as an individual sport foremost (because I prefer
singles) I do not follow Fed Cup.   I am a US citizen but I always root for my
birth nation whenever it is competing.  That is a primal instinct in me.  
Otherwise I prefer to back  who I feel is the 'best player" and not for a front
runner touted by the media or the tv talking heads.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>since I too regard tennis as an individual sport foremost (because I prefer<br />
singles) I do not follow Fed Cup.   I am a US citizen but I always root for my<br />
birth nation whenever it is competing.  That is a primal instinct in me.<br />
Otherwise I prefer to back  who I feel is the &#8216;best player&#8221; and not for a front<br />
runner touted by the media or the tv talking heads.</p>
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		<title>By: http://blacktennispros.blogspot.com</title>
		<link>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19425</link>
		<dc:creator>http://blacktennispros.blogspot.com</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:32:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19425</guid>
		<description>I like the competition of Fed and Davis Cup.  I don't really care "who" plays, top players or otherwise, so long as we win.  I do love to cheer for good old USA during those competitions.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I like the competition of Fed and Davis Cup.  I don&#8217;t really care &#8220;who&#8221; plays, top players or otherwise, so long as we win.  I do love to cheer for good old USA during those competitions.</p>
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		<title>By: Kurt</title>
		<link>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19422</link>
		<dc:creator>Kurt</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:49:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19422</guid>
		<description>I'd say I feel an even 5 for them.  The Fed Cup organization isn't set up that well (and I don't really have any ideas of how to change it).  It's just a blimp on the annual tennis season.  Some top players participate, others don't.  I think it's a great tradition and needs to be addressed.  This is just based on my memory, but the fact that the Fed Cup tie in April, between the USA and Belgium, in southern Florida, which featured the Williams sisters could not sell out a 3,000 seat stadium over two days of play does not bode well.

It is disappointing to see the top players sit out.  I don't think it should be a requirement to play for your country, but, as some players believe, it is an honor.  Ask Amelie Mauresmo or Daniela Hantuchova.  Players like these circle those weeks on the calendar for Fed Cup, hoping to achieve glory for their country.

The team aspect is such a great environment for the players.  Cheering your countrywomen on, feeling the pressure of playing not just for yourself, but for others, etc.  Like I said earlier, it's a great tradition that needs to be addressed for it can continue.  Perhaps some ranking points?  More opportune weeks on the calendar (though the tour is trying to fix this for 2008)?  A different format?  Let's make Fed Cup one of the highlights of the year, instead of an also-ran.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;d say I feel an even 5 for them.  The Fed Cup organization isn&#8217;t set up that well (and I don&#8217;t really have any ideas of how to change it).  It&#8217;s just a blimp on the annual tennis season.  Some top players participate, others don&#8217;t.  I think it&#8217;s a great tradition and needs to be addressed.  This is just based on my memory, but the fact that the Fed Cup tie in April, between the USA and Belgium, in southern Florida, which featured the Williams sisters could not sell out a 3,000 seat stadium over two days of play does not bode well.</p>
<p>It is disappointing to see the top players sit out.  I don&#8217;t think it should be a requirement to play for your country, but, as some players believe, it is an honor.  Ask Amelie Mauresmo or Daniela Hantuchova.  Players like these circle those weeks on the calendar for Fed Cup, hoping to achieve glory for their country.</p>
<p>The team aspect is such a great environment for the players.  Cheering your countrywomen on, feeling the pressure of playing not just for yourself, but for others, etc.  Like I said earlier, it&#8217;s a great tradition that needs to be addressed for it can continue.  Perhaps some ranking points?  More opportune weeks on the calendar (though the tour is trying to fix this for 2008)?  A different format?  Let&#8217;s make Fed Cup one of the highlights of the year, instead of an also-ran.</p>
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		<title>By: Nick</title>
		<link>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19421</link>
		<dc:creator>Nick</dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:24:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.onthebaseline.com/2007/09/14/open-forum-friday-how-important-is-fed-cup-to-you/#comment-19421</guid>
		<description>I don't really care about Fed Cup or Davis Cup, they are boring! :-P

Only players care about them because they have to play it in order to qualify for the Olympics.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I don&#8217;t really care about Fed Cup or Davis Cup, they are boring! <img src='http://www.onthebaseline.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_razz.gif' alt=':-P' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p>Only players care about them because they have to play it in order to qualify for the Olympics.</p>
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