The U.S. Fed Cup team is coming back to North Carolina for the first time since 2002. The champion U.S. team hosts the Netherlands in Asheville, February 10th and 11th, to defend their title in the 2018 Fed Cup.
The annual Fed Cup is the premier international team competition in women’s tennis. The men’s equivalent tennis competition is the Davis Cup. The Fed Cup was originally called the “Federation Cup” and began in 1963 as a celebration of the International Tennis Federation’s 50th anniversary.
The 2018 Fed Cup comes to Asheville with Team USA having won its record 18th Fed Cup title on November 12, 2017 against Belarus. This is Team USA’s first Fed Cup title since 2000 and a first time against the Netherlands since the 1998 World Group First Round. Team USA holds a 6-2 head-to-head record over the Netherlands in Fed Cup play.
The 2018 World Group first-round tie will be played on a temporary indoor hard court at Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center, Feb. 10-11. The arena can accommodate up to 5000 people, and is expected to sell out. With Team USA taking on the Netherlands, Asheville can expect to potentially see world-class players like Sloane Stephens and Coco Vandeweghe in and around town. Exciting!
The best-of-five match series begins with two singles matches on Saturday, February 10th. Two reverse singles matches and the doubles match follow on Sunday, the 11th. The winner will advance to the 2018 Fed Cup semifinals, April 21st and 22nd.
Team USA is led by a group of women who play each tie with patriotic pride and passion. U.S. captain Kathy Rinaldi is the first female captain to win the title since Billie Jean King in 2000. Some of tennis’ greatest players have suited up for this team, including Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, Billie Jean King and Chris Evert.
The United States Fed Cup team is the most successful national team in Fed Cup competition. Team USA has won 18 titles and finished second a further 11 times, out of 54. They won the inaugural Fed Cup in 1963 and continue to hold the record for most ties won, at 149, including 37 in a row. They won seven straight titles between 1976 and 1982.
2018 Fed Cup in Asheville – U.S. vs Netherlands
February 10-11, 2018
U.S. Cellular Center – 87 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
Visit www.usta.com for tickets and more information.
2018 Fed Cup Lodging
North Lodge on Oakland Bed & Breakfast is your Asheville home away from home. Beautifully appointed, luxurious guest rooms with private baths, flat screen TV’s, three-course plated breakfasts, and more await you. Plus we’re less than ten minutes from the 2018 Fed Cup at Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center. Lodging, like tickets, will go fast. Book your lodging at North Lodge On Oakland today!