BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 10, 2022

Kathy Rinaldi

Coco Gauff

Caty McNally

Team USA

Emirates Arena

Press Conference

GAUFF-McNALLY/Linette-Rosolska

6-1, 6-2

Team USA - 2

Team Poland - 1

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Congratulations. I guess I will start with Kathy. When did you have an inkling you were going to go with the reuniting of McCoco tonight?

CAPTAIN RINALDI: Well, I put some thought into it. Obviously when we were at 1-All, I thought, you know, Coco's one of our, well, was the No. 1 world doubles player, and I just have so much confidence in her. I know it's been a lot of travel and a lot of tennis for her lately, but she was up for the challenge. I couldn't have been more proud.

Then for Caty, with her debut, I thought it was perfect for them to play together and, boy, did they not disappoint? That was some beautiful, beautiful doubles.

Q. Coco, like Kathy said, I know it's been a lot of travel for you, didn't see any jet lag or rust out there. How did you feel just kind of getting right into the match action?

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, I was pretty motivated. To be honest, is one of the motivations, after having a tough time in Fort Worth, that was I want to finish the year on a positive note. I knew regardless of result I will have a positive week here.

Yeah, I was ready to go. When Kathy asked me, I told her I'm ready. Last minute, had to change my outfit and warm up all within a span of 15 minutes. I knew playing with Caty it was going to be a good time, and I knew she's the type of person that no matter how long we go without playing or maybe talking to each other in person that when we step on the court, when we see each other, it's like gel, it's like peanut butter and jelly just go together.

Q. Caty, obviously it's your first match, taking the court. You told me the other day this is like a dream to represent the U.S. How did you feel out there on the court?

CATY McNALLY: Yeah, I felt really good. Kathy told me earlier today that I was going to be playing doubles, so I don't think it's easy sitting around all day, but I was super motivated to get out there.

When I heard I was playing with Coco, no matter who it was with, I was excited to play, but we haven't played together in a while. Like she said, our games just gel together super well. We get along, we have so much fun. I think that's the key is we just enjoy each other's presence out there.

I thought we played amazing tonight and just couldn't have asked for a better debut. Thank you, Kathy, for trusting in us.

COCO GAUFF: For trusting in us. If you saw me in Fort Worth...

CAPTAIN RINALDI: I did see you in Fort Worth. I watched all your matches. Caty was on one of my junior teams, so I was so thrilled to be back on the bench with her.

Q. Kathy, the last one for you, I know you will enjoy this a bit, but looking ahead to Friday and the Czechs, the other match in the group, what is your take, your outlook on that match?

CAPTAIN RINALDI: We're looking forward to it. It's going to be a great challenge. I've got competitors on this team, and I'm certainly a competitor, too. We're really going to be looking forward to it. Couldn't ask for a better team and teammates, and I think everybody is super excited for that matchup.

We know it's going to be tough, but they're all tough when it comes to Billie Jean King Cup, and we'll take it one match at a time and give it our best.