BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

April 16, 2022

Dayana Yastremska

Team Ukraine

Press Conference

D. YASTREMSKA/J. Pegula

6-3, 6-4

USA - 2

Ukraine - 1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You said yesterday that you thought you might play better today. How do you feel you played today?

DAYANA YASTREMSKA: I played today much better than yesterday. Maybe yesterday was much more interesting match than today, but I think I had today better focus. I tried to play more aggressive. I think I prepared better for this match.

Q. You talk about staying focused. How did you manage to stay focused at the end of the match?

DAYANA YASTREMSKA: I think I had experience already from Colombia where I lost from three match points.

I don't know. I just relaxed and thought it's going to be like it's going to be. I just went there being focusing on every point. I think that's how it happened (smiling). Nothing special.

Q. It's an emotional weekend, an emotional time for you. What are the biggest takeaways you've had from this past week with your team and Team USA as well?

DAYANA YASTREMSKA: Well, the first thing I think it's the spirit that we had here, the spirit of our team. I don't remember the last time when we are in the team, girls were so nervous and so proud of us that we are here, we are representing our country.

I think the best experience I took from this week, it's how to manage your emotions on court when a lot of things are going around. You still have to be focused on tennis. I think maybe yesterday I couldn't really realize that, but today I think I could manage it.

Q. Some other girls mentioned they don't know when they're able to go back to Ukraine. What's next for you? Do you know when you'll go back, see your family?

DAYANA YASTREMSKA: Huh-uh. I don't have any idea. I don't know. It's also pretty tough for me to make the tournament schedule because my ranking now is not so good, so I don't know where I'm going to get in, where not. Grand Slam main draw...

Everything you have to see. I don't know when I'm going to be back home. I really want to go there. I really want to see my family. I don't have any plans, any ideas, because you don't know how it's going to be.

Q. Jessie is ranked pretty high. You've been in the top 20 before. This is one of the better wins you've had lately. What kind of confidence does that give you moving forward?

DAYANA YASTREMSKA: Well, to be honest, I didn't really think about her ranking. I don't even know what is her ranking right now. I didn't check (smiling).

I just played against a good player. I played against a yellow ball. I played against myself, as well (smiling).

Well, every match that you win, it's bring you confidence, no matter who you are playing. I think it's a good move to go for the clay season.