Australia will stage its Fed Cup final homecoming in Perth.
Australia will host France in its first Fed Cup final on home soil since 1978 at Perth's RAC Arena, November 9-10th, Tennis Australia announced today.
More: Sharapova Aims for First Grass Win Since 2015
Australia’s first Fed Cup final since 1993 will be played on hard court.
Roland Garros champion Ashleigh Barty has carried the green-and-gold to the final aided by 2011 US Open champion Samantha Stosur, Daria Gavrilova and Priscilla Hon.
“I’m so excited we have the chance to play the Fed Cup Final here in Perth, and showcase the very best of women’s tennis right here in my hometown,” Australian Fed Cup captain Alicia Molik said. “It’s particularly exciting to be making this announcement just a little over a week since Ash Barty won the French Open.
“Although her win took a lot of people by surprise, we’ve known for some time what an exceptional player, and person, she is, and that it was only a matter of time before she broke through to win a major. Ash’s natural talent is matched only by her work ethic and outstanding sportsmanship, and it’s wonderful to see her blazing a trail not just in women’s tennis, but in world sport."
Ashleigh Barty partnered Stosur to lift Australia to a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 triumph over Victoria Azarenka and Aryna Sabalenka and clinch an emotional 3-2 victory over Belarus in the Fed Cup semifinals in Brisbane in April.
Aussie No. 1 Barty made history as the first player to win all three rubbers in a Fed Cup opening round and semifinals leading the green-and-gold to their first Fed Cup final in 26 years.
“Our semifinal win was momentous, and it’s a credit to the team in Ash, Dasha [Gavrilova], Sam [Stosur] and Priscilla [Hon] and their work ethic and passion," Molik said. “I have no doubt in my mind that we are capable of winning. We’ve had a sensational start to the year, but the job isn’t finished yet, and we are going to ensure that we give ourselves every chance here in Perth to win for Australia.”
Photo credit: Fed Cup Facebook