Tennis-Groenefeld the veteran of inexperienced German team at 22

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

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."