Nigel Sears is the new captain of Britain’s Fed Cup team. Sears, who replaces Colin Beecher, will continue in his role as coach of women’s tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association. Britain will face Bulgaria in a Europe-Africa Zone Group I series starting April 18. “This is a period of massive change in British tennis, and I am excited to be a part of the new set up,” Sears said Monday.

Fernando Meligeni resigned as captain of Brazil’s Davis Cup team Monday after nearly two years. Meligeni said he quit because budget constraints kept him from working on programs to develop young talent, and because of the low priority Brazilian tennis authorities gave the Davis Cup. “There’s no planning whatsoever by the (national federation).

Roger Federer and Justine Henin-Hardenne were selected the International Tennis Federation’s world champions on Monday. Federer became only the fourth player to win the men’s award three straight years, joining Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras. The 25-year-old Swiss star won three Grand Slam titles — the Australian Open, Wimbledon and U.S.