After the surprise in Rijeka, women's team boss Rainer Schüttler is looking to the future with confidence.

"The young players are good enough for it. The sooner they are called upon to do so, the better it is for the upheaval," said Schüttler after the German tennis women remained in the world group of the Billie Jean King Cup.

The selection of the German Tennis Association, which traveled to Croatia as an outsider without the pregnant Angelique Kerber and the retired Andrea Petkovic, prevailed 3-1 in the playoff duel at the weekend and thus avoided falling into the second division. "Of course that's important for development. It took a lot from my heart," admitted Schüttler.

Poker in Rijeka

The ex-professional had gambled heavily in the two days of Rijeka by using the 20-year-old Eva Lys on the first day, only to replace her with Anna-Lena Friedsam on Saturday despite the victory against Petra Martic. "We put our trust in the girls and they all repaid it," said Schüttler in praise of his young team, in which three players celebrated their individual debuts in the prestigious team competition in Jule Niemeier, Lys and Friedsam.

In the coming year, Germany will continue to be one of the best tennis nations in the world. This Sunday, Schüttler and Co. will find out who they are up against in the first round on April 14th and 15th, 2023. The pairings will then be drawn at 2 p.m. in Glasgow. "The main thing is finally a home game," said Schüttler, who recently had to play away with his team.