Dave Taylor has stood down as Australian Fed Cup captain to focus on coaching world number nine Sam Stosur, Tennis Australia said on Saturday. Taylor cited the draining amount of travel required to coach both a top 10 player and the national team as the reason for relinquishing the captaincy. Taylor took over the role seven years ago when Australia were wallowing in the Asian group qualifying.

He leaves them on a high with an away win over Germany elevating Australia into World Group One with a captaincy win-loss record of 15-6. Tennis Australia director Craig Tiley said the search for a new captain would begin immediately, ahead of Australia taking on reigning Fed Cup champions Czech Republic in February.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2012