Magdalena Maleeva Joins Bulgaria's Tennis Team for Fed Cup

Sports | January 25, 2011, Tuesday // 15:57|  views

Magdalena Maleeva (pictured), former world number one Boris Becker and Prime Minister Boyko Borisov took part in a charity match in Sofia in August. Photo by BGNES

Bulgaria's tennis star Magdalena Maleeva, who brought the curtain down on her professional career in 2005, has been included in the national team for the Fed Cup tournament in 2011.

The team also includes Wimbledon semi-finalist Tsvetana Pironkova, Elitsa Kostova and Dia Evtimova.

"I'm not prepared very well because I have two kids to care for but I did some training when I played with Boris Becker and Boyko Borisov (Bulgarian Prime Minister)," Maleeva joked, referring to the charity match during the Zagorka Tennis Cup finals last summer in Sofia.

The former number 4 in the world said it was Dora Rangelova, the captain of the team, who persuaded her she was ready to participate in next month's Europe/Africa zone Group I playoffs in Eilat, Israel.

"It was difficult to take such a decision but the team captain Dora Rangelova persuaded me," the youngest of the Maleeva family, one of the very few players Bulgaria has had to boast about on the tennis court, told journalists on Tuesday.

Maleeva, who will turn 36 in April, ended her professional competitive career in 2005. However, in September 2010 she participated in the national championship and won, triggering speculations about an eventual comeback.

The top Bulgarian tennis player took part in 41 matches with the Bulgarian national team at the Fed Cup tournament – 26 single and 15 couples. Her last participation was in 2005, when she was the team's captain.

Bulgaria has been participating in the Fed Cup for 14 years. Its team showed the greatest victories at the semifinals of the World Group in 1985 and in 1987.

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Tags: Boyko Borisov, tournament, Bulgarian, tennis, Fed Cup, Magdalena Maleeva, Tsvetana Pironkova, Elitsa Kostova, Dia Evtimova, Boris Becker

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