Captain Kathy

The best coaches are well liked, greatly respected, have a wealth of experience and can connect with their players. Based on her first few months as captain of the U.S. Fed Cup team, Kathy Rinaldi appears to be all of that, and more.

- Nina Pantic

While the U.S. sweep of an experienced German side in Hawaii this February was noteworthy for many reasons, there’s little doubt as to the most overlooked story of the tie: Rinaldi’s ability, in her Fed Cup debut, to lead a talented but erratic U.S. team to its first semifinal since 2010.

“We had a lot of fun during practices throughout the week,” Rinaldi said. “By the time the competition came around, everybody was relaxed and had each other’s backs, and that was my hope.”

Rinaldi made her presence felt from the start, conferring with Alison Riske at 3–3 of the first set of the 26-year-old’s opening match against 12-time Fed Cup singles winner Andrea Petkovic. “I think we talked about the banana I was eating,” said Riske, who would prevail, 7–6 (10), 6–2. “Just random things to keep my mind off the moment. And honestly, it was perfect.”