| 22 December 2011
Judy Murray says it is an honour to be able to represent Great Britain as the new captain of the Fed Cup team.
Even those over at pokernet will be interested to note that she will take charge of the British team in February next year, as they aim to climb into tennis' World Group II.
The mother of Scottish stars Andy and Jamie Murray revealed that it was the possibility of a reunion with Leon Smith that convinced her to take up the role.
“Leon contacted me a few weeks ago to say he was taking over the women's side and asked if I would be interested in a role,” Murray told the BBC.
“I'm really excited to get started.”
Murray accepts that it is going to be a big challenge for Britain to qualify from the Europe/Africa Zone Group I, but say it is one she is very much looking forward to.
She added: “It is very difficult because there's 15 teams in the group and only two will go through.
“You have to win three matches to get out of your group, and then you need to win another one in the play-off, and there are some very strong teams in there.
“If our girls are playing well and we have a favourable draw, then I really think anything is possible.”
She says one of her main aims will be to tackle the prominent issues of sexism that seem to be surrounding British tennis at the moment.
Currently there are no Britons in the Women's Tennis Association's (WTA) top 50, with Elena Baltacha just outside it in 51st.
She said: “I think we're pretty much outnumbered about 10 to 1 male coaches to female coaches on the performance side of the game and it's something I'd very much like to try to rectify.
“So that is another part of my role beyond the Fed Cup is to try to help develop a female coaching workforce.”
That may be the case at the higher end of the game, but one report suggested that 24 per cent of the 1,652 licensed tennis coaches in the UK were female.
British number one, Baltacha has offered her support to Murray, and believes she will prove to be a wise appointment.
She said: “I think the decision is absolutely fantastic.
“I think he (Leon Smith) couldn't have picked a better person for the job. She brings so much experience to it, so much knowledge, and it will just be so nice to have her there.”
The 28-year-old who has worked alongside Murray for a number of years now added: “I remember Judy taking me on some trips at under-14, under-16 and under-18 tournaments.
“She was a great captain then and she will be now. She's a tough cookie and she won't put up with any nonsense.”
The Fed Cup ties will take place between 1 and 4 February, with only two teams from the 15 entries qualifying.
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