U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez analyzes the prospects of the nation’s younger players for 2012. Fernandez’s squad will go up against Belarus in a World Group Playoff match in Worcester, Mass., February 4-5. Serena Williams has already committed to the tie and Venus Williams has an expressed an interest in playing, but her health is still up in the air. It is assumed that doubles standout Liezel Huber will also be named to the squad, but it is unclear whom the other players will be. Christina McHale, who ended the year ranked a career high No. 43 has a good chance, as does No. 55 Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who is recovering from an injury but should be ready to go in January and is a good singles and doubles player.
Others such as former Fed Cuppers Melanie Oudin and CoCo Vandeweghe have been in slumps. Oudin is currently working with USTA coach Tom Gullikson and has fallen to No. 164 after reaching a career high No. 31 in April 2010. "Melanie has had the toughest season I think of all," said Fernandez. "She really struggled with her confidence. I'd like to see her get back to basics, get back to what she does well, which is move around the court, throw in the variety, use her forehand. I think sometimes you get to a certain level and you think, ‘Okay, what do I need to do for the next one?’ I think Melanie tried to do a little bit too much and played outside what comes naturally to her."
After reaching a carrier high No. 89 in April, Vandeweghe has fallen to No. 122. She currently is being coached by former top 15 player Jan-Michael Gambill. "For her I think it's a concentration issue,” Fernandez said. “When she's focused and deliberate with her
tactics, not just trying to swing away, she plays well. She's got the power and weapons. She could still get in better shape and get quicker around the court. But she should definitely be in the top 60 in the world."
Fernandez added that most of the U.S.’s young players had positive 2011’s, including 21-year old Irina Falconi, who finished No. 84, and 18-year-old Sloane Stephens, who finished No. 98. "Irina has so much passion. You can see it in her face. That's obviously something you love, being captain. Sloane to me has always been someone with a ton of talent. She has to stay healthy. For me with her it's attitude. If she has the right attitude and stays positive she can move up because she has weapons, great serve, forehand, great athlete. I think we can see a lot of great things from her."