Britain’s Fed Cup captain Anne Keothavong is “in awe” of her players after they won promotion to World Group II for the first time in 26 years.
Every match in their 3-1 play-off win over Kazakhstan in London was a nerve-shredding three-setter.
Katie Boulter was a set and break down before the decisive win over Zarina Diyas, and Johanna Konta trailed 4-1 in the third set against Yulia Putintseva.
“It was such an incredible effort,” Keothavong said.
“I am just totally in awe of these women.”
Boulter’s 6-7 (1-7) 6-4 6-1 triggered wild celebrations after Great Britain finally got themselves out of the third tier of women’s team tennis after four failures at the same stage in the previous seven years.
Keothavong, who played in two of those play-offs and captained the others, said the victory at the Copper Box Arena was “right up there” as one of her best achievements in tennis.
“I couldn’t get there as a player but to be able to captain this achievement and to finally achieve it together after so long is definitely a highlight for me,” she said.
“Watching the players develop and grow; watching Jo lead this team as the number one; playing a small part in something much bigger is a very proud moment for me.”
Konta, whose stunning 4-6 6-2 7-5 victory over Putintseva on Sunday had put Britain one win away from promotion, said she was “speechless” following the team’s triumph.
“I have dreamed of being a part of the team that was able to achieve this,” the world number 46 added.