Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova will attend this week’s Fed Cup final in Prague even though she may not be nominated to play against the Czech Republic. Right now, the Russian Federation has selected Maria Sharapova, Ekaterina Makarova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Vesnina to be on the team. However, Makarova has been injured and hasn’t played since the U.S. Open.
It’s possible captain Anastasia Myskina may bring in Kuznetsova in at the last moment.
The two-time Grand Slam champion won Moscow two weeks ago and also played at the WTA Elite Trophy event in Zhuhai. Myskina has also been coaching Kuznetsova on the tour.
“The most famous answer is Anastasia is going to talk to me after that, but I'm not in the team,” Kuznetsova said while competing at Zhuhai. “I promise her to go and support the team, which I will do. I have ticket on Thursday to fly to Prague. After we're done here we'll talk and see what's better.”
The Czech Republic is the defending Fed Cup champion and will field Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova, Karolina Pliskova and Barbora Strycova. In 2011, the Czechs beat Russia in an away tie in Moscow.
Kuznetsova believes it will be a difficult task for the Russians this year, as well. “So hard. It’s who writes newspaper has work to do,” she said. “I see it's going to be tough one. We lost close one to Czech in Moscow, and it's going to be tough. I mean, the Czechs playing back home, it's going to be crazy crowd there, I think. Maria been playing well. Petra not always consistent, but playing amazing when she's on the top. Lucie is there. It's going to be interesting. I think we have chances. On the paper I don't know who is favorite. I have no clue."