30 Apr 2016

Sport:Pacific Oceania expect everyone back for Fed Cup return

10:56 am on 30 April 2016

Pacific Oceania expect to have all players on deck next year as they attempt to win promotion to the top tier of Fed Cup tennis in Asia/Oceania.

The team finished sixth out of 12 in the Group Two event in Thailand this month, one place lower than a year ago.

The region's top-ranked player, Samoa's Steffi Carruthers, was troubled by a back injury while Papua New Guinea's Abigail Tere Apisah won all of her singles rubbers.

Team Captain Patrice Cotti was also pleased with newcomers Mayka Zima from Tahiti and Ayana Rengill from Palau and expects all will be back in 2017.

"I think so. We know the level: Abigail and Steffi knew it before and now Mayka and Ayana know the level they have to do to be in the team and they are really motivated to be in the team next year and, for me, if they keep training all along the year I think they have a great chance to be in the team next year."

Patrice Cotti said he would also like to see other players come into the selection reckoning and give Pacific Oceania as many top players as possible.