DAVIS CUP FINALS

December 3, 2021

Michael Kohlmann

Team Germany

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Could you talk about the transition from Innsbruck to Madrid, how the preparation has been.

MICHAEL KOHLMANN: Yeah, it's a little bit different. It plays a little bit different here. Even though Innsbruck was also I think over 500 meters high, the ball is bouncing a little bit higher. It seems like the ball gets faster more fluffy than in Innsbruck.

We had now two days of practice, so I think we're in good shape. It shouldn't be a thing that makes us worse than the other teams.

I mean, obviously it's easier if you're here for 10 days, but I don't think it's a big deal for us.

Q. Is one of the challenges after such a big win over Britain finding that motivation to go again?

MICHAEL KOHLMANN: No. Finding a motivation, for sure not. I think it was good that we had three days off now in order to settle down again and to focus again on tomorrow.

I think we are very hungry for more. We are aware that we are playing Russia. I mean, they have four guys in the top 20 I think. Even if two guys get sick, they have still pretty good team. So we know that we are a little bit the underdog.

We were the underdog already against Serbia and also against Great Britain. I think we managed it pretty well. We are looking forward to a big tie for us tomorrow.

Q. This is Germany's first time in the Davis Cup semifinals since 2007, when you also faced Russia. Your memories of that tie? I think you had to miss the tie because of a knee injury.

MICHAEL KOHLMANN: Yeah, I think it's a different situation now. I mean, 2007 I was playing. I was playing first round and quarterfinals. Then I got injured and traveled with the team to Russia. Was a little bit outside. It was a tough tie. We lost 3-2. I think we were up 2-1 after the doubles.

Now, I mean, it's 14 years later, completely different. I mean, it's a different situation for myself, as well. We have, yeah, a great team I think.

Even though it's like maybe for most of the guys outside a surprise for us, but I think we were always improving every year, year by year. We were 2018 lost in the quarterfinals here in Spain. It was a tough tie. I think 2019 also quarterfinals against Great Britain in this new format.

I think we improved year by year. We think we are here by reason because we are ready for more. Hopefully we can show that tomorrow.

Q. You spoke about the strength of this Russian team. They would have the edge maybe in the singles, but you have a strong doubles team. How do you ensure you make it to the doubles?

MICHAEL KOHLMANN: By winning one (smiling).

I mean, we watched a little bit yesterday against Sweden. Obviously Daniil Medvedev is a great player, No. 2 in the world. Andrey Rublev, I think he's No. 5 right now. They have strong players. We know that.

On a certain day I think we can maybe get one win of them. I think Jan-Lennard Struff, he had beaten Medvedev in the past. On grass courts it's a little bit different. Whoever plays the number two is very, very motivated to get a win against Andrey. Andrey played a lot of matches so far here in Madrid.

Yeah, let's see how it goes. But we are ready to take maybe one singles.