DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 25, 2021

Mikael Ymer

Team Sweden

Press Conference

M. YMER/V. Pospisil

6-4, 6-4

Sweden - 2

Canada - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Can you tell me what you think the key was for you today.

MIKAEL YMER: I think to serve consistent, to stay calm, to stay focused, try to prolong the rallies. Yeah, just staying on my toes because it can go quick when you play someone as defensive as Vasek. You blink, and stuff can be gone.

Q. Obviously a special day for your family with your brother winning as well. He called it a miracle that you're No. 1 and 2 for Sweden. How would you describe it?

MIKAEL YMER: Yes, of course. Growing up it was also one of the big dream for my dad. Even though I don't think too much of it while I'm playing or during the week, for me it's more about the team and the country. Of course, there are moments here and there that I sit and I think that it's beautiful, it's a beautiful story.

Q. Was there a moment when you were younger that you realized you could both be professional players?

MIKAEL YMER: That we could turn pro?

Q. Yes.

MIKAEL YMER: Yes, because this was our goal pretty early and we went for it pretty early. We both quit school ninth grade. From here on it's just a one way (smiling). We went for it. Looking back at it today, I'm happy and I'm relieved that it went the way that it did.

Q. When you were starting on the tour, how helpful was it to have your brother showing you the way?

MIKAEL YMER: Yeah, since I picked up a racquet, he's been helpful. I said it in Paris, too. If I have to name one person that is the key to where I am today, it's my brother. Both conscious things he's done and things maybe he's not thinking of, like, actively.

We sparred every single day when we were kids. Today we still spar a lot. To have an older brother when you're growing up that shows a lot of good examples, it becomes easier for me to follow. I have footsteps to walk.

Till today I still follow. Of course, you start taking your own path, you paint your own path. But still till today there are things that we're both learning from each other, especially me from him I think.

Q. He said your practice sessions can be more intense than matches because you want to beat each other so much. Is that right?

MIKAEL YMER: From his side I would say. I mean, throughout the year, especially lately, I've calmed down a bit in practice. I don't feel like I'm getting a bit old. I don't have the energy to go all out in practice.

But he can lose to anyone in practice. But as soon as it's me, he's quiet for two hours. But it's fun. It's fun because I think it's very healthy because it's as close as we can get to a match situation.

Even though I don't get like irritated. When I practice with him, it gets like, Okay, it's match time. I like this feeling. It's very good. We often play very good when we train with each other, then we go out to play a match.

Q. You beat Vasek, a standout at the 2019 Davis Cup Finals, how much confidence does that give you moving through the event?

MIKAEL YMER: To be honest, it's a good question. I don't know how much it will give me. At the moment I'm just a bit relieved that we're off to a good start. For my next match, with how my brain works, it's always thinking next, next, next, next, next. I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens on Saturday.