BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 10, 2022

Elise Mertens

Team Belgium

Emirates Arena

Press Conference

A. TOMLJANOVIC/E. Mertens

4-6, 6-4, 3-0 [Ret.]

Team Australia - 2

Team Belgium - 0

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Can you just talk through your emotions right now? Also, tell us how your shoulder is doing.

ELISE MERTENS: I mean, yeah, I gave it my all, but my body didn't recover properly, I think. Yesterday we played at 10:00. Today we played at 10:00. We kind of were here already at 7:45 or 8:00.

I think it was too soon. But, yeah, I mean, playing is Belgium is always a privilege. It's always a blast to be here. But on the other hand, I knew it was going to be physical-wise very, very difficult, very...

So, yeah, I started well in the match. At the end of the first set I already felt the pain, but I kind of like tried to play through it. But as you could see, I couldn't really serve anymore overhand, and my forehand was getting weaker, too, like my shoulder was going a bit to the elbow.

You know, it was just not meant to be. Yeah, schedule-wise it was not the best, two times at 10:00, but we can't do anything about that.

Q. You started the match playing so well. Seemed like you were on like a mission. Did you know that you needed to win in straight sets?

ELISE MERTENS: Yes, I knew I had to win in straight sets because Alison lost in two. So, yeah, I was trying everything I could to win it in two or to just win the match. But eventually it turned around unfortunately. But, yeah, I gave it everything I still had.

Q. How do you reflect on the last two weeks? It's been a bit of a whirlwind. It doesn't sound like you have any regrets about coming here.

ELISE MERTENS: No, definitely not. I think I always try to play for my country. Of course I had the amazing weeks in Texas. But this came too soon.

I mean, we played on Monday, and we started again yesterday at 10:00 a.m. So, I mean, there weren't a lot of players in the WTA Finals who are teams that are playing here. Czech Republic is only starting today. So that would definitely have helped to start a bit later or start in the afternoon today, because, you know, it's tough. We have to be here very early, and then singles and doubles from me sometimes.

But, yeah, I mean, we tried our best as a team. We tried to enjoy it. It didn't go our way. But, yeah, let's try next year.