DAVIS CUP FINALS

November 28, 2021

Jurij Rodionov

Team Austria

Press Conference

J. RODIONOV/D. Koepfer

6-1, 7-5

Team Austria - 1

Team Germany - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. About a half hour since it happened. How are you feeling at the moment?

JURIJ RODIONOV: Of course I'm feeling very happy about my performance today, and I'm glad that I could help the team. It's always special winning the first time on Davis Cup, especially on home soil. Unfortunately without the fans, but I hope I will get the chance to win in front of my fans, as well.

Q. When did you learn you were playing? Was it today or last night? Did you have time to prepare?

JURIJ RODIONOV: Stefan told me, I think it was either on Friday evening or Saturday morning, I can't remember. But I knew quite early that -- he didn't say 100%, but the possibility very, very high, and so I could prepare myself very well. Yesterday I watched a match from Dominik, the whole two sets, and I saw things that would help me today.

So, yeah, I was very, very good prepared for the match today.

Q. First Davis Cup match win for your country, obviously, and on home soil. Yes, no fans, but otherwise it really doesn't get much better than that?

JURIJ RODIONOV: It's really a dream come true. It's one of my biggest goals in my career. Maybe not like being top 1 or something, but for me, it was always very special playing for my country and representing Austria in the Davis Cup.

I'm very glad that I finally got my first win after four times.

Q. You have had big wins in your career previously, but where does that one rank?

JURIJ RODIONOV: Yeah, with the fans it would have been probably like the No. 1, maybe No. 2. Without them, I mean, Davis Cup without the fans, that's what makes the Davis Cup special, the fans, and being at home or being away. And without the fans, it's obviously tough. But nonetheless, it's my first Davis Cup win and I'm very excited, very happy. It's definitely my top five wins.

Q. How have the last few months, you touched on a career-best ranking, how does that set you up for next season which I imagine you hope will be a big season for you?

JURIJ RODIONOV: The past couple of months were pretty rough for me. I was injured for like three weeks, and then I got sick for like another month. So I didn't manage to practice very well, but the last three, four weeks was able to get back to practice, and I really worked my butt off.

Finally it's paying off, and now hopefully I can take this swing into the next season and perform well at the start of the next year.