DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 25, 2021

Borna Gojo

Team Croatia

Press Conference

B. GOJO/A. Popyrin

7-6, 7-5

Croatia - 1

Canada - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. How do you explain it? Because, already in Melbourne already you had the great fight. You showed that you were the same level. How do you explain your ranking? We are surprised to see that your ranking is so low and your quality is so good.

BORNA GOJO: Well, thank you for that, but yeah, I had kind of a tough year. I got injured in Australia actually, and first six, seven months I was playing with an injury.

You know, that hurts you when you can't play 100%, and it hurts you mentally. I just ended up having a tough year.

But I know at any point that I can play with all of these guys. You know, Davis Cup gave me that opportunity today, and I played a nice match and got a point for Croatia, so I'm very happy for that.

Q. You obviously had in 2019 as tough an assignment as you could possibly get really at Davis Cup Finals. What lessons did you learn from that that maybe you have applied to your performance here today?

BORNA GOJO: Well, yeah, obviously Madrid I ended up playing Rublev and Rafa. We know who Rafa is and Rublev was playing in unbelievable form.

I played a match against Rafa where it was one break a set, and it was like 4-All. I got nervous, and so, you know, that gives you a lot of confidence that if you can hang in the match with Rafa, you know, you can probably hang with everyone else almost.

So it gave me a good bit of confidence, and again, playing for my country means 50 times more to me than when I'm playing for myself. You know, I don't get frustrated as easily when I play for my teammates and the country.

So, yeah, it's a big privilege for me, and I enjoy every moment of it.

Q. Where would you classify this result? I think it's only your second win over somebody in the top 100, but where would you classify it as far as the level of play that you also had?

BORNA GOJO: Yeah, well, I always say every win for my country is the most important one for me and the biggest one. But, yeah, I think the level was good. I think nothing crazy from me, honestly, but yeah, it was a big match for me obviously. For sure, top-5, top-10 matches, I played some big ones. Against Rafa, even though I lost, I think I played better.

Yeah, obviously a big win, good match, and I'm looking forward to Sunday.

Q. Right now Cilic is up one set, a break in the second set. Croatia seems -- and then you have your doubles, which is No. 1 in the world. You probably are the favorite of your group at this point. What do you expect of the other group? I mean, tomorrow Italy has to play United States. When you talk with your friends and colleagues -- Berrettini is not there. What do you expect? Do you have any idea? Of course is very balanced, we all know, but in your opinion, who do you expect to play eventually on Monday?

BORNA GOJO: Yeah, I mean, it's super tough matchup, but I would give just small edge to Italy because of Jannik. I think he's playing unbelievable tennis. And actually I know him since he was coming up from the challengers. I was in college playing some challengers. I saw the guy and I was, like, Wow.

I think he can maybe give a little edge even to the other players in the team, and, you know, with the home crowd I think Italy has to be a little favorite, but obviously it's an open match, yeah.