Portugal Colonial - Strycova to replace Pala as Czech Billie Jean King Cup team captain

Pala took the helm in 2008 and led the Czechs to six Fed Cup victories in 2011-2018, leaning on the likes of Petra Kvitova, Lucie Safarova, Karolina Pliskova and Strycova herself.

The Czechs have been less impressive since the women's team competition changed to the Billie Jean King Cup in 2020, also because of a generational shift.

"I have realised the girls are younger and younger and I'm not getting any younger with them, it's rather the contrary," Pala, 49, told Czech media on Monday.

Pala will remain in charge for November's Billie Jean King Cup play-offs before handing over to Strycova in January 2026.

Strycova, 39, who was on five of the six Czech Republic teams that won the Fed Cup, said she was relishing the opportunity.

"Playing tennis is quite different from leading the Fed Cup team," said Strycova. "But I know I will give my best and try to lead the girls to another trophy."

Strycova retired before giving birth to the first of her two children in 2021, but returned for one last season in 2023.

She won the Wimbledon doubles with Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei in her last year, having also won in 2019.

The top-ranked Czech players at the moment are Karolina Muchova (14) and Barbora Krejcikova (17).

O.Gaspar--PC