Belarus at the 2001 Federation Cup

The Federation Cup is one premier tennis event of women teams played yearly at international levels. It was launched in the year 1963 by International Tennis Federation, eventually marking its 50th inaugural celebration. Hazel Wightman is the personality behind it, who thought of the initial plan during 1919. She launched a trophy for the then competing teams of United States and Great Britain. Hazel’s idea saw no subscriber till Nell Hopman and Mary Hare, who took up the plan with true spirits and after around forty years Hazel Wightman’s dream came true through ITF. In spite of no sponsors and facing hardships the teams’ world over pulled it to higher levels through their dedicated appearances and performances.

In the year 1995 the trophy was renamed as Fed Cup changing its initial name of Federation Cup. The Federation Cup cherishes the presence of tennis stars of the caliber of Billie Jean King, Darlene Hard, Margaret Smith and Lesley Turner on its courts. Belarus had made it to World Group II in the year 1999 but, lost its tie opposite Czech Republic. Belarus at the 2001 Federation Cup was Euro/African Zone Group I player.

Belarus at the 2001 Federation Cup registered its team through Euro/African Zone Group I. Belarus started their pool events with a bang. They won their first round robin opposite Romania by 2-1. In the immediate next event they failed to produce good performance and lost it to Sweden by 0-3. The final round robin witnessed good come back of Belarus, who outplayed Great Britain and won the match by 2-1.

Belarus at the 2001 Federation Cup listed its team through Euro/African Zone Group I. Belarus started it group pool elementary round robins with first win opposite Romania. Then they lost it to Sweden by 0-3, which saw no good efforts on the Belarus’ part. In the third round robin, Belarus once again came up with improved performance to win it opposite Great Britain by 2-1.