Angelique Kerber set to miss Germany's Fed Cup play-off tie against Latvia through illness

Berlin: Reigning Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber will miss Germany’s Fed Cup play-off tie against Latvia this weekend because of an illness, the German Tennis Federation confirmed Wednesday.

Germany hope to retain their World Group status in an indoor hard-court play-off in Riga on Friday and Saturday, but they will have to do so without their star player.

Kerber had been struggling to recover from a protracted bout of flu and confirmed that she was under doctor’s orders not to play this weekend.

“I am disappointed and sad to miss the Latvia tie. Even though I can’t be there with them, I am in contact with the team and I am sure that the girls will triumph in the play-off,” Kerber, ranked fifth in the world, said in a statement.

Team captain Jens Gerlach has nominated Mona Barthel, ranked 85 places below Kerber, as the replacement on the German team.

“The whole team wishes Angie a quick recovery and we hope to see her on court again soon,” said Gerlach