ATP CUP

January 1, 2022

Federico Delbonis

Diego Schwartzman

Team Argentina

Press Conference

D. SCHWARTZMAN/N. Basilashvili

6-1, 6-2

Team Argentina - 2

Team Georgia - 0

THE MODERATOR: Joined by Federico Delbonis and Diego Schwartzman. Diego, first question to you. Just tell me how good it feels for you and Federico to have such great wins to start the tie off.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Well, it's always very difficult to start a tie, so I was very happy when Federico beat his opponent very quickly, very easily. So it was very comfortable for me to start the second point with already a win in the team.

So it was great how Federico start and then I tried to do my job and I think I did great and that's why we already won the tie and now we are waiting for the dubs. It's obviously that it's very important to win that point as well.

Q. Federico, how did you find your first experience at the ATP Cup and especially getting a win for your country?

FEDERICO DELBONIS: Oh, great. I mean, the only question that, or the only thing that was not so many crowd, but obviously with the time and everything was tough for the people after the fireworks last night and everything.

But of course for us it was a great day. Hopefully we can finish with the doubles as well with the win for the boys for the tie as well. It's going to be good for us. And of course Diego and I we play very good matches and we are happy for that.

Q. Diego, you gave a nice little shout-out to Argentina back home almost being New Years.

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: Yeah, in 40 minutes.

Q. How important is it for you, of course you're on the other side of the world, to still be representing your country?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: For us it's very important. Obviously everyone want to be in home, you know, these days with the family, friends. But we know, every single player know that the year start very quickly, very early. First day of the year we start playing.

So it's very important to start very well, you know? It's a team competition. Federico and me start very well. Now the dubs. So we can share a few moments the first days of the year and then let's see what happens in the next tournament when maybe we play against or, you know, just, the first Grand Slam of the season is just around the corner, so it's very important to have a good start.

Q. Speaking about having a good start, in this competition itself just how important is it to go out and get two quick wins to give the whole team confidence right away?

DIEGO SCHWARTZMAN: I think it's good because the last two times I played the first day I didn't win, so for me starting with a win giving me a lot of confidence for the next match. I have Tsitsipas in the next match, so obviously to start with a win it's very nice.

So I think the important thing right now it's warming up for the Grand Slam, play as a team, and share the moments all together in this competition. For us to always play under the flags, it's very nice.