Q&A: Kathy Rinaldi to return to Prostejov as USA girls' captain
This year's ITF World Junior Tennis Finals take place from 1-6 August when 32 teams spanning 26 nations will battle to be crowned 2022 boys’ and girls’ champions of the ITF's flagship 14-and-under team competition.
Spearheading the United States girls’ team in Prostejov will be Kathy Rinaldi, who also captains her nation in Billie Jean King Cup. Her immediate priority, however, is the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals where she will guide the stars of tomorrow through a major international event.
She has tasted victory before in Prostejov, having led the United States girls' team to victory in both 2009 and 2010, and is now back at the helm for a further title bid. Ahead of flying to Czech Republic, Rinaldi sits down with itftennis.com to talk all things Prostejov.
You are well-known for being the United States captain in Billie Jean King Cup. What is the reasoning behind you also captaining the United States at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in Prostejov?
It is such an honour to be Billie Jean King Cup captain, but I am also the head of women’s tennis for the USTA [United States Tennis Association] and in that role I really enjoy being on court as much as I can. Having an opportunity to spend time with some of our young players, at the base if you like, is really important and it will be a privilege to see first hand the talent which is emerging. I am super-excited to go back to Prostejov, see all the young talent out there and be with our young American girls. It will be an incredible experience for everyone.
In what ways will your captaincy have to change in Prostejov, where you will be in charge of players who are towards the start of their careers, compared to Billie Jean King Cup where players are far more established?
I want to connect with our young players and I want to make sure we’re working hard. In the professional ranks, players are set, they are the best in the world and already have set routines. At this age, it is more of a learning experience for the girls and there will be a lot of teachable moments. This could be a player’s first trip overseas or their first without their parents or private coaches, so there is a big responsibility there. In short, I want them to come back as better tennis players, better competitors and, most importantly, better young ladies. There will be an emphasis on team spirit as I want them to be great teammates. To facilitate this, I will do the same as I do with the Billie Jean King Cup team. We will have team-building activities together, we will work hard together and we will have fun together.
What is your favourite team-building exercise?
It differs. It’s about knowing your players, knowing what they like and what they don’t like, and you build around that. I also try to keep it fresh and find new things to do. A lot of times in the past, competitions have been around holidays, so we try and incorporate holiday themes, but on this trip we will have to see. Our boys’ team also qualified for the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals so it will be a joint trip, and I’m sure we will have some off-court competitions with the boys and their captain, perhaps some card games. I’m sure there with be some TikToks also.
You have captained previously at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals – in 2009 and 2010 when the United States topped the girls’ podium. What are your memories from those years?
I have such incredible memories. Winning is an amazing experience and it is such a great tournament. This event offers so much to the players and there are so many great experiences and life lessons for them to absorb. The players are super-excited to get to Prostejov and will be like sponges, they just want to learn. They really want to perform and do well and, for me, there will be so many teachable moments and hopefully I can have a positive impact on these young girls on and off court.
Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Sloane Stephens and Frances Tiafoe are just some of the players to have represented the United States at the ITF World Junior Tennis Finals in recent years. The wider list from other nations is also highly impressive and includes the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, Nick Kyrgios and Marketa Vondrousova. Why is this such a good developmental event?
There are so many opportunities to learn at this age when players are outside of their comfort zone. The best of the best have played this event and it shows players what’s out there, what they need to come back and work on and how they compare with the rest of the world. It’s really exciting in so many ways. It’s also about friendships. The players they come up against in Prostejov are likely to be opponents for many years to come and it’s a chance to compete against them, but also build relationships and embrace everything which tennis stands for. It’s an incredible week. Tennis is such an individual sport, so when I say come back a better person, learning how to be a good teammate is massive. Nobody can play every single match so the role on the bench is crucial. For these players to learn team chemistry at such a young age is vital. It is also good to reinforce that when your country calls, you say ‘yes’.
Regardless of age, I imagine the pride players in Prostejov have in pulling on national team colours and representing their nations mirrors the pride and excitement the Billie Jean King Cup team have?
Absolutely. My players are very excited to represent their country, wear their country colours and have their national flag on their shirt. It means something extra special and maybe something they haven’t had the opportunity to do previously. This could be their first time representing their country and it definitely brings out a different emotion. They are playing for their teammates and nobody wants to let anyone down. There will be highs and lows during a career, but when you’re playing for your country, you know you have a team there to back you up. That’s what makes it so special.
Would you like to introduce your team?
I have a solid team. I have Capucine Jauffret, Shannon Lam and Julieta Pareja and each of them in their own right have had great years. They have some team chemistry already, but we are going to go over a few days before the event to train and we will be ready to go. My players are really excited and so am I. I cannot wait to get to Prostejov.