Tennis-Groenefeld the veteran of inexperienced German team at 22

LA JOLLA, California Feb 1 (Reuters) - Anna-Lena Groenefeld struggled to keep the smile off her face after being described as the veteran of Germany's Fed Cup team pitted against the U.S. this week in a world group first round tie.

The 22-year-old from Nordhorn, a 'veteran' of seven Fed Cup ties since making her debut in 2004, is the most experienced player in a German squad with an average age of just under 20.

The United States, spearheaded by former world number one Lindsay Davenport and heavily fancied to win the encounter, have a team average of over 28.

"It's really funny (being called the veteran) because I'm only 22," Groenefeld, grinning broadly, told reporters after Friday's draw at La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

"I try to encourage my team mates and tell them just to give their best. This is a team competition and that's all they can do. Go out there, play for their country and fight."

Germany captain Barbara Rittner, who played in the Fed Cup for 11 years, accepts her inexperienced team will go into Saturday's opening singles matches as underdogs.

"I like it better the other way around but that's the way it is," Rittner said. "If you play the U.S., especially if there's a top player like Lindsay in the team, of course you are the underdog.

"On the other hand, sometimes that can be nice. You have nothing to lose. In the end, though, you don't want to go all the way to the U.S. and then go home losing. We are here to give our best. It's a team event and you never know."

Rittner said her team were happy with the hard outdoor surface.

COMMON SURFACE

"We've had enough time to prepare on it," she said. "It's a pretty common hard court surface and should suit anybody who has been here for longer than a week."

American captain Zina Garrison was also in upbeat mood ahead of the tie.

"Our preparations have gone extremely well," she said. "The girls have been hitting really well and it's been very relaxed here -- a kind of getting together.

"Its been my first chance to be with Lindsay's beautiful little baby, so its been a real family atmosphere."

Davenport, back in Fed Cup action for the first time in almost three years, returned to the court last September following an 11-month absence to have a baby.

A veteran of 33 Fed Cup matches with a win-loss record of 31-2, Davenport says she and her team mates are taking great care not to underestimate Germany this week.

"Obviously we start off here against a team that we're probably considered the favourites against," the 31-year-old said. "But I think they're a very dangerous underdog. They have some very good young players so we've got to be on our game."

Davenport will play Germany's number two Sabine Lisicki, 18, in the opening singles encounter on Saturday. U.S. number two Ashley Harkleroad will then take on Germany's top-ranked Tatjana Malek, 20, in the second match. (Editing by Greg Stutchbury)