BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 12, 2022

Petr Pala

Karolina Pliskova

Emirates Arena

Team Czech Republic

Press Conference

B. BENCIC/Ka. Pliskova

6-2, 7-6

Team Switzerland - 2

Team Czech Republic - 0

THE MODERATOR: Congrats on reaching another semifinal. Fantastic always, Czech Republic. How do you assess today's performance against such a strong team as Switzerland?

CAPTAIN PALA: Well, it was I think close. There were few chances. We were a little bit behind in the first match, but Karolina had chances to come back. I know that Viktorija is always playing, you know, raising her level in the Billie Jean King Cup. So we saw it already before.

But I know that Karolina had the game to play her. Unfortunately she couldn't overcome. Maybe she was tight a little bit in the beginning, but, you know, there were few points end of the first set and beginning of the second set that she could have turned the match a little bit around to put her more under pressure but it didn't happen.

Obviously two No. 1s playing. We thought it was going to be our biggest chance to beat Belinda in that form, if Karolina is playing well and serving well, which she did in the second set. She had set point, but she had also many breakpoints for double break, which I think they were also set points I would say at that moment.

That match could have gone to third set and anything could happen. We were hoping, you know, to get to the doubles. Obviously it would be open, but especially if Karolina would have beat Belinda would be very good, you know, to go, because Belinda would have to play the doubles, as well.

THE MODERATOR: You had a very difficult start in a very difficult group. You made it through. How proud are you with the performance of your team, given the last-minute changes before the competition started?

CAPTAIN PALA: Well, I'm very proud of the team, who came and the performance and what they left on the court and for the team, because wasn't easy to do eliminations three days in a row, considering their conditions, what they were in, because we were left at four players just a day before the first match, and then we had to play every -- we had no one, let's say, to call back.

Also, it's changed everything, everything, you know, that we lost the No. 1 team in the world, and it change a lot, you know, considering the conditions of each player. That was difficult to find, you know, who would be able to play two matches every day.

THE MODERATOR: Karolina, how would you assess your level today compared to the other day, especially the second set today?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: No, I mean, it was completely different match. Of course the level with a better player, with Belinda, of course, it kind of automatically goes up.

I think the second set was maybe one of the best sets which I've played this year. Unfortunately I lost. I had many chances, many chances to go double break up, one set point. I kind of regret I didn't have the chance to play the third set, but I think the tennis was good.

THE MODERATOR: What did you think you did better than the other day, or how were you feeling better already before going on court?

KAROLINA PLISKOVA: No, I was not feeling good at all this week. I have to say I struggled a little bit. You know, I didn't play for a while team competition. So I really didn't feel well.

Of course didn't help that I lost the first match. Then yesterday we had, you know, like weird doubles because was already like 2-0 for us. So there was not that much motivation to win that match anymore after sitting all day and watching, you know, girls.

So I was not feeling great at all mentally, physically, like tennis-wise. I think the surface for me is a little bit too slow.

But, yeah, from not good feeling, I have to say I finished with a good feeling, with a good feeling of my tennis and of my game, which this is my last match of this year, so I think was a good level.