[circe]

Pliskova was definitely the Murray of that tie. Fabulous tennis from all.

[amongsttheleaves]

French team understandably rather somber on the podium, looks like some tears were shed in the locker room. Poor Caro, tears streaming down her face when the crowd cheer for her. Really hope she can use this to build her career on tour.

Sadly today Kiki also lost her unbeaten record in Fed Cup doubles. I really thought she had a chance to go beyond Roberta Vinci's 18 unbeaten streak because she was halfway there in the space of 3 years and she and Caro were the ones who broke Vinci's streak. But Strycova is also unbeaten in deciding doubles rubbers.

Sad Amelie makes me sad. She's got a tough job now to pick the team up from a pretty heartbreaking loss and try again next year. They play Switzerland away in the first round in February.

Just hope the FFT don't do some sort of stupid FFT thing and not renew her contract. Amelie's passion for the sport and this competition have been incredible this weekend. The fire she showed court side was infectious. Few others could compete with her in terms of giving everything a captain can.

Will post some photos of the final day later.

Congrats to the Czech team, five titles in six years and ten overall.

[amongsttheleaves]

Reports emerging that Amelie - whose contract as Fed Cup captain was renewed for 2 years in 2014 - will not be continuing as Fed Cup captain.

If the reports are true, then it is probably based on questions over whether Kiki should have played the singles - Kiki reportedly wanted to - but I think Amelie's decision was a difficult one and having seen how Kiki was in the doubles putting her out for the singles would not have made much difference. If Kiki did a hot-headed Kiki thing it might have made Amelie's position untenable. But I'm hopeful that there are other reasons.

The FFT are going to have an impossible job replacing her. Dechy or Fusi are the only names I can think of, and the first tie of 2017 is in February.

2016, you suck. I wanted nothing more than to see Amelie win that trophy as captain, she epitomises the spirit of Fed Cup and it was on show for all to see this weekend. If and when Amelie totally walks away from tennis, the sport might finally realise what an incredibly special person it has/had in Amelie.

Hopefully some happier news will be forthcoming before too long.

[amongsttheleaves]

that would be awful if they didn't renew Amelie's contract, assuming she wants to renew,  As you said atl, she achieved so much.  Sad for all of them and you.  If her contract isn't renewed I wonder if one of the French men would have the sense to approach her?

If the reports are true - there's a press conference at Roland Garros at 4pm their time but L'Equipe are reporting it as a conference to confirm her resignation -  I feel the choice will have been Amelie's.

Even if the FFT have done some dumbass things they are surely not so stupid as to not renew her contract if she wants to? 

My only hope is that this isn't just because Amelie blames herself for the loss - she'll say things like she wasn't able to find the right words at the right time etc because that what she always does - but because there is some other news to be announced before too long - whether it be another job or something else.

I know Amelie has long been keen to have her own vineyard, but I'm not ready for her to walk away from tennis yet!

 

[Ruthie]

oh great that there's some good news atl.   

[amongsttheleaves]