Tennis South Africa (TSA) announced that Earl Grainger would take over as Fed Cup captain from John-Laffnie De Jager, and would take responsibility of his role for the two-year period of 2014/2015, confirming the national tennis body’s decision to separate the roles of Davis and Fed Cup Captains.
“The TSA Board decided that two captains needed to be appointed,” said Gavin Crookes, TSA acting CEO. Until the end of 2013, John-Laffnie De Jager held both positions.
“TSA is of the firm opinion that the Davis Cup and Fed Cup captain’s roles could be specifically focused on the Men’s and Ladies Team Events respectively. This gave TSA the opportunity to appoint captains who specialise in the men’s and women’s game,” he said.
It will be the first time Bedfordview-based Earl Grainger will take the role of Fed Cup captain.
Grainger was ranked in the top five of junior tennis in South Africa, has represented the country at the Orange Bowl and Rolex International in the USA as a junior, was the youngest player to represent South Africa at the Maccabi Games, and had a successful four years on a NCAA scholarship, at the University of Tennessee.
Today, Grainger is one of the most successful tennis coaches in the country. His Earl Grainger Tennis Academy in Gauteng Central has produced players to the likes Chanel Simmonds and Natasha Fourocalas.
Grainger’s biggest success story is undoubtedly Chanel Simmonds, whom he has developed from a top junior player to South Africa’s number two world-ranked female player, reaching as high as 158 on the WTA rankings.
For the past seven years, Grainger has been travelling with Simmonds on the international circuit.
Grainger said he was honoured with his appointment, and that he saw the appointment as a reward for his hard work and dedication.
“It’s true; good things come to people who work hard, have loyalty and are honest. Quite honestly, the appointment came as a shock to me. I am very, very proud and very thankful to be given this wonderful opportunity to captain the Fed cup side,” said Grainger.
The South African Fed Cup team will travel to Siauliai, Lithuania from 16-19 April 2014, where they will compete in Europe/Africa Zone Group II for the third successive year, following their promotion from Group III in 2011.
South Africa is currently ranked 52 on the world Fed Cup rankings.
Photo caption: Incoming FED Cup Captain Earl Grainger. Photo: Earl Grainger
(With editing by gsport)
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