Seles out of Fed Cup final

Tennis

Monica Seles yesterday pulled out of this weekend's Fed Cup final against the holders, Spain, in Valencia because of knee injuries.

A statement from the United States Association said Seles, co- ranked No 1 in the world, had lingering injuries that "make it impossible to play at tournament level". Her replacement will be either Chanda Rubin or Amy Frazier.

"I really wanted to play," Seles said. "I have told Billie Jean King [the team captain] to sign me up for 1996."

It is the third time this month that Seles has withdrawn from a tournament because of injuries which first surfaced in late summer as she made her comeback. In early November she pulled out of the Bank of the West Classic in California, and last week she missed the season-ending WTA Tour Championships in New York.

Seles's withdrawal from her first Fed Cup does not affect her eligibility for next year's Olympics. American players must merely make themselves available for either the Fed Cup or the men's Davis Cup to retain Olympic eligibility.