The 2011 Fed Cup will be up for grabs when the Czech Republic visits Moscow next weekend to decide the world’s best in women’s team tennis. On Nov 5 and 6 women from the two countries will play with the championship on the line. Russia hopes that playing at home will be an advantage as they set their sights on a fifth title since 2004. The Czech team will arrive looking to pick up their first Fed Cup since becoming independent from Slovakia in 1983. Claimed by Italy for the past two years, Russia is looking to regain the form that saw it win consecutive titles in 2007 and 2008. The teams will play before 14,000 fans at Moscow’s Olympic Arena, home of the 1980 Olympic Games and numerous Davis Cup tennis finals. The Fed Cup is the largest women’s team tournament in sport. Established in 1963, the competition had previously been open to only Great Britain and the United states before being recognized as an official series by the International Tennis Federation. This year’s edition had 90 countries compete, a far cry from the 16 in its inaugural year.
Make tennis part of the travel itinerary
Tickets for the Fed Cup are still available, so if the travel plans include Moscow, why not drop by to see some of the world’s best players. Watching tennis will provide a break from museum and cultural visits, while providing a little relief from the chilly weather. The city is notorious for its cold winters, so dressing in layers will be essential. English is not as common as in other destinations. Invest in a guide book and map to help ensure nothing gets missed!
