The task is hard and the conditions are intimidating, but the Indian Fed Cup team is preparing in right earnest in Astana, Kazakhstan, for the Asia Oceania group-1 women's tennis event.
The Indian team preparing for the FedCup Asia-Oceania group-1 tennis event here visited the Ambassador's home. The warmth and hospitality of the Ambassador Prabhat Kumar was a big source of inspiration for the Indian camp, trying to cope with the cold conditions.
"The Ambassador and his wife were extremely nice and friendly. Everyone had a nice evening. The vegetarians in the team were most happy to eat some Indian food," said the captain of the Indian team, Vishaal Uppal.
It has been snowing in Kazakhstan, and the weather forecast has been for a further spell of severe cold.
"For the next two days, the weather is going to be brutal. But, mostly we are indoors. So it is not that bad", the captain said.
Having reached on Friday, the team has been acclimatizing to the indoor playing conditions and the hard living conditions.
"The hosts have treated us well. We have two more days of practice left and we will be ready come Thursday", Vishaal said.
The Indian team, with Ankita Raina, Karman Kaur Thandi, Prarthana Thombare, Mahak Jain and Riya Bhatia with Ankita Bhambri as the coach, along with trainer Anand Dubey will be keen to capitalize on the time on hand for the best possible preparation.
Ankita Raina, who had beaten Yulia Putintseva, the leading Kazakh, in the tie last year in Delhi, expressed confidence. "The practice has been good and intense," she said. Figuring in the three-team group, India will be watching the host take on Thailand on Wednesday.
India has been clubbed with Thailand and hosts Kazakhstan, in a three-team group. The other group will have China, Korea, Indonesia, and Pacific Oceania.
The group toppers, after the league phase, will face each other for a qualification berth to the World group-2 playoff. The two teams among the seven that finish at the bottom will be relegated to group-2.
'I am happy with the preparation and team spirit so far', said Vishaal, quite optimistic about the team's chances of performing at its best.
