• What the Deuce

If the tables were turned

Mary Joe Fernandez has had to rely on Melanie Oudin in the absence of the Williams sisters © Getty Images

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"I have so much faith in this team right here," USA Fed Cup captain Mary Joe Fernandez said after her team's victory over Russia. "This has been my team. This is our core group. We're going to keep working with that."

Is this a sign that Fernandez is no longer going to pander to the Williams sisters? Though neither Venus nor Serena has played a Fed Cup tie since 2007, Fernandez has continued to hold a spot open for the pair until the last minute. And every time, the sisters continue to profess their love for the competition, yet neither have found the enthusiasm to play.

In their absence world No.128 Bethanie Mattek-Sands was the hero at the weekend, winning back-to-back rubbers to turn around a 2-1 Russian advantage and book the USA's place in the final for the second time in as many years.

Mattek-Sands may not be a high-profile name like Serena, but her attitude to Fed Cup tennis is what the competition needs. In an individual sport like tennis, the opportunity to represent your country as part of a team is rare.

"I'm normally not really emotional on the court, but just playing in Fed Cup, different pressures," said Mattek-Sands after winning her singles rubber to level the tie before going on to win the deciding doubles match with Liezel Huber.

"You know, I was really pumped, though. I always want to win whether I'm playing singles, doubles, charades, whatever. I think we're all pretty competitive. So I was ready to go."

Fernandez has players like Melanie Oudin, Huber and Mattek-Sands at her disposal week in, week out, but they all know that no matter how well they play they face the axe should Venus and Serena declare themselves fit.

But they will all undoubtedly be fired up and ready to go should they be handed the opportunity to represent their country in the final in November. In a repeat of last year's final, the American team will take on defending champions Italy, but this year the US will have home advantage. The last time they had a home tie in the final, Jennifer Capriati, Lindsey Davenport and Monica Seles were in action and they enjoyed a 5-0 whitewash over Spain.

Last year the Williams sisters were conspicuous by their absence at the Fed Cup final after the USA reached their first final in six years. After defeating her sister in the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships final in Doha, Serena announced she would not play in the final.

Venus and Serena Williams have not played a Fed Cup tie since 2007 © Getty Images

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"I definitely really want to go, but I don't think I would do well physically," she said. "It's very difficult to play such a mental week and then come back and play again. Right now I'm just struggling in every aspect of my body."

It remains to be seen if the sisters will play in this year's final in November, perhaps the draw of a home tie will tempt them. But either way, they will not be able to please everyone.

If they are fit, then there is an argument to say that as the best players they should be automatically selected. But then on the other hand, Oudin and Mattek-Sands have shown their commitment and enthusiasm from the start and deserve the chance to play in the final.

Compare it, if you will, to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's policy of using the Carling Cup as the chance to give his young guns the chance to play. A side with an average age of 19 memorably thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 last season. If they had reached the final, there would be a strong argument to keep the side who had earned their team the date at Wembley, and leave the big names out.

Fernandez will face a difficult decision come November. Should she become a slave to the Williams sisters as she has done in the past, or should she keep the faith with the team who have shown their dedication and ability?

The reputation of the Fed Cup has waned in recent years. Back in the late 70s and early 80s the USA racked up a 38-match winning streak as they won the event seven years on the bounce with the likes of Billie-Jean King, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin and Martina Navratilova. And while the inclusion of the Williams sisters will always draw big crowds, their attitude and last-minute withdrawals have damaged the reputation of the competition.

It is back to the Andy Murray debate - whether Murray should be able to pick and choose which Davis Cup ties he plays. But the difference here is Great Britain are playing in the third tier of the competition against relative minnows in the world of tennis - USA are through to the final.

Nobody had a problem when Andy Roddick announced he would not be playing Davis Cup this year. He was up front about his decision and it has given the likes of John Isner and Sam Querrey the chance to shine. In contrast, the women are being overshadowed by the will-they won't-they Williamses.

Instead of merely stating they would rather focus on the upcoming French Open, they continue to hold the event to ransom by leaving it until the 11th hour to make their decision. It is no doubt a distraction to the players who are involved and they are unable to prepare adequately. Mattek-Sands for example, was down to play doubles, but had to step up to singles after Serena pulled out.

There is no doubting what the sisters have done for the sport over the past decade, but the question remains whether they deserve a place in the team.

If the pair want to play in the London Olympics in two years' time, they will need to play Fed Cup to qualify. What would happen if the tables were turned and the Williams sisters discovered they couldn't get a place in the American Fed Cup team?

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