Longtime U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez is stepping down, and the USTA has said that a planned expansion of the role will require an increased time commitment from the next captain.
"Working with the players has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career," she said in a statement released by the USTA. “…The planned changes to the role do not fit with my other work and family commitments at this time."
Fernandez, who was the captain for eight years, reached No. 4 in the world as a player, and is a commentator for ESPN.
"We greatly appreciate all that Mary Joe brought to the U.S. Fed Cup team, including reaching two finals," USTA President Katrina Adams said in a statement.
The captaincy will now include increased involvement with USTA Player Development program.
"The captain will attend player-development camps and provide coaching support for players at a number of tournaments through the season,” Adams said.
The USTA has begun looking for a new captain.