Taylor stands down as Fed Cup coach

Updated December 15, 2012 23:21:29

Dave Taylor has stood down as Australian Federation Cup captain to focus on coaching world number nine Sam Stosur.

Taylor cited the draining amount of travel required to coach both a top 10 player and the national team as the reason for relinquishing the captaincy.

Taylor took over the role seven years ago when Australia were wallowing in the Asian group qualifying.

He leaves them on a high with an away win over Germany elevating Australia into World Group One with a captaincy win-loss record of 15-6.

"I especially wanted to mention the fantastic support I have enjoyed from our Fed Cup coach Nic Bradtke, who has been a crucial part of the team," Taylor said.

"I have been honoured to work with Nic as I have also to see several players make their debut during my time.

"I have also been saddened to see the retirement of greats like Alicia Molik and Rennae Stubbs during my time.

"The common theme through it all though has been the selfless commitment from our players to our team goals and the terrific team environment that they all very much subscribe to. It has made my role so much easier over the years.

"I am confident the right person will be chosen for the job and that they - along with a terrific team - will continue the momentum we have built in these past few years."

Tennis Australia director of tennis, Craig Tiley, paid tribute to Taylor.

"Dave was the perfect Fed Cup captain," Tiley said.

"His ability to bring out the best in his players and to build a healthy team environment is as good as I have seen in tennis."

Tiley said the search for a new captain would begin immediately, ahead of Australia taking on reigning Fed Cup champions Czech Republic in February.

AFP/ABC

Tags: sport, tennis, australia

First posted December 15, 2012 23:21:29

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Taylor faces tough Fed Cup choices

Updated February 02, 2012 16:26:19

Fed Cup captain David Taylor admits he has some big selection issues to sort out for Australia's World Group II tennis tie against Switzerland this week.

Compounding the problem is the questionable form of his top two-ranked players - Samantha Stosur and Jarmila Gajdosova - over the first month of the season.

US Open champion Stosur has won only one match in three tournaments in 2012 but there is no question she will be Australia's singles number one against the Swiss in Fribourg.

The big question is who will be the second singles player, with a choice between world number 49 Gajdosova, number 67 Jelena Dokic or even number 103 Casey Dellacqua.

"I think Sam will play. She is number five in the world and it is great to have someone of that ranking in our team," Taylor said.

"The second singles spot is still undecided and the decision will be based on our practice over the next few days."

Gajdosova suffered two heavy defeats at the Hopman Cup in Perth and another in the first round of the Australian Open, although she won a couple of matches in Hobart.

Dokic reached the second round in Sydney and the Australian Open while Dellacqua's strong return from injury was stopped by eventual champion Victoria Azarenka in the second round of the Australian Open.

And Taylor must also decide on a new doubles combination following the retirement of longtime mainstay Rennae Stubbs.

"We haven't really found that yet, so we will also have to decide on that closer to Saturday," he said.

Australia is fighting to return to the top eight in the World Group in 2013 and must win in Switzerland and a second play-off tie in April.

Fortunately, the Swiss are not a big power with their team comprising world number 124 Stefanie Voegele, number 219 Amra Sadikovic, number 244 Timea Bacsinszky and number 1061 Belinda Bencic.

The tie will be played in wintery cold on a temporary indoor clay court, where the Australian team is battling to adjust after the hot, hardcourt Australian season.

"We all arrived pretty frozen," Taylor said on Wednesday.

"It is very cold and quite a contrast to Melbourne.

"We have just had one practice session on the court and it is of a very good standard for temporary indoor courts.

"We still have a little bit of work to do before Saturday but we will get there."

AAP

Tags: tennis, sport, switzerland

First posted February 02, 2012 16:26:19

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Interview: David Taylor

Published:Sunday, April 17, 2011 6:49 AESTExpires:Saturday, July 16, 2011 6:49 AEST

Australian captain David Taylor spoke to ABC Sport's Steve Pearce after his team lost its tie with Ukraine 3-2 on Sunday at Glen Iris in Melbourne.

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Interview: David Taylor

Published:Saturday, April 16, 2011 6:10 AESTExpires:Friday, July 15, 2011 6:10 AEST

Fed Cup captain David Taylor spoke to ABC Sport's Steve Pearce after the first day's play of Australia's tie with Ukraine at Glen Iris in Melbourne saw scores tied at 1-1.

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