DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 25, 2021

Elias Ymer

Team Sweden

Press Conference

E. YMER/S. Diez

6-4, 6-2

Sweden - 1, Canada - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you talk through the match. There seemed to be a really big momentum swing at 4-1 in the first set. How were you feeling at the start? What changed at that point?

ELIAS YMER: No, I mean, in the beginning I was a bit -- I was a bit shocked because I get that great start. I was playing really well from the first game. I got the break.

Then I think he raised his level, too. He was very aggressive. I've seen Steven a bit before. I didn't think he played this aggressive. I got a bit surprised. I think with 4-1, Robin told me, You have to play more aggressive, you have to start using your forehand more.

Today my forehand was blasting, I think. I was hitting winners from everywhere. I mean, when my forehand is on, I'm very difficult to play, I would say.

Q. What is it like having such an icon as your captain.

ELIAS YMER: I've worked with Robin before 2018 one year. I mean, I feel like when I'm talking to him, he understands me very well. He play like not the same but we have a bit the same like game style, I would say. He can understand my thoughts.

Whenever I feel something, he's kind of there supporting me. I think it's more mentally, I would say, than game-wise. I have a big trust in him. Whatever he says, I feel like it goes in. You know what I mean?

Q. This is your first win in Davis Cup since 2018.

ELIAS YMER: Yeah, yeah.

Q. Can you talk about that.

ELIAS YMER: You're right. I was thinking about it right after the match. I told them in the locker room, Guys, I just got a win (laughter). I was a bit nervous before with the match, too, because I've had tough losses in the Davis Cup.

I mean, maybe Madrid is the place for me, who knows.

Q. How different does it feel playing Davis Cup compared to regular tour events?

ELIAS YMER: Yeah, it's very different. Because I think this week is so much fun because we are together, everyone. That makes it more relaxed outside because we have so much fun.

On the court you really want to play for the team. I feel like I'm not playing for myself. You know what I mean?

Q. You mentioned on the court, you described it as a miracle, you and your brother are 1 and 2 for your country. Is it easy for you to watch each other's matches or do you get maybe nervous for the other one?

ELIAS YMER: I mean, I think, as I said, it's a miracle. You don't see it in almost any other country. It's not in many sports, two brothers. Our parents immigrated from Ethiopia. We're both like No. 1 and No. 2, representing Sweden in the biggest tennis event in the world. You don't see it so often.

I always try to stay present and appreciate it. I know we both can do more. Always look where you are and appreciate it. That's why I said 'a miracle' because I feel like it is a miracle.

Q. Are you good at watching each other's matches?

ELIAS YMER: Yeah, because we practice. I mean, when I play with him, it's the best practice ever because it's so intense. Sometimes I want to win that practice more than a tournament. So whenever we practice together, it's the best training.

Now I'm going to support him. I think it's going to be a great match against Pospisil.

Q. I wanted to ask about the second match coming up between your brother and Vasek. Pospisil has had a lot of success in Davis Cup, helping lead Canada to the finals in 2019. What type of challenges does he pose on the court? What do you think Mikael will have to do to counter that?

ELIAS YMER: No, I mean, Vasek is a great player. I have a huge respect for him. I think the way he plays is very beautiful. He's very aggressive. He plays a bit more coming in, super aggressive.

That's why I said Mikael has another game style, like completely opposite. He gets almost every ball back. That's why it's going to be fun to see two players, like, so different.

I think they'll have a great match actually. It's going to be fun to see if Vasek can hit through Mikael. Maybe he can; maybe he cannot. I just have to see now. I'm really looking forward for that match.

Q. You said you had the belief that Sweden can win this. You wanted to carry that through to your team. Having the 1-Love lead now, does it feel that you can get over the runner-up from last year?

ELIAS YMER: I said it because I think belief is super important. It's something everyone has to work on. I said it because, yeah, if I don't believe that we cannot win this, why should we even be here?

Now we have 1-Love against Canada, which is a top nation. Hopefully Mikael wins, then we'll see what happens. Of course, our goal is obviously to win.