UNITED CUP

January 1, 2023

Jiri Vanek

Petra Kvitova

Team Czech Republic

Press Conference

Czech Republic - 3

Germany - 2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Team Czech Republic on winning the tie. Jiri, perhaps you could give an assessment of today's performances, notably Petra's.

CAPTAIN VANEK: Okay. Hello, everybody.

Of course, we are really happy that we beat Germany. Was pretty impressive like 3-0 leading after the first three singles. Everybody play pretty good.

Then was a little bit bad luck for us that our second player retired first match, then we have to put our third player, Dalibor. He was youngest player in our team. He was fighting like hell. Really happy for him for great experience.

Yeah, mixed again was, like, close. We lost, but anyway I'm really, really happy how our team played here and how was around everybody.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Jiri, what's happening to your men players? They're breaking down.

CAPTAIN VANEK: Yeah, I don't know. I mean, in Czech, we are really top with the girls, we have so many girls. Finally we get couple of boys in top 100, we have two. One of them is injured, third one as well. It's tough.

We have to somehow improve boys in Czech Republic.

PETRA KVITOVA: We need it for the next year, right?

Q. Petra, you seemed to be amused with it. Looked like you were laughing later on when he got injured. Was that the case?

PETRA KVITOVA: Laughing?

Q. It looked like you were having a bit of a laugh about the situation.

PETRA KVITOVA: No. It was kind of bizarre because he felt something, cracked something. He still wanted to play.

I was like, Why are you doing this? Probably that's why I little bit smiled.

Yeah, I mean, he was still with the adrenaline and everything. He was still going, walking.

I was like, Sit.

He said, No, I have to walk.

That was bizarre, kind of. Yeah, he's getting better, so that's good for him that he going to be probably ready for Melbourne hopefully.

Q. Petra, with the two wins, physical wins, you saved a lot of break points, played pressure moments, what is your biggest takeaway from your first two matches of the season?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, yeah, and a couple of double-faults, right, as well (smiling)?

Yeah, I mean, one day in tennis it's like playing great, beating Jessica, then of course different day, different player, fighting like hell again with different kind of things as well. I felt very exhausted, as well. My body was hurting a little bit. I didn't feel the best. I knew I should bring a point to the team, as well, that we are safe to win.

Yeah, like everything together. Always women's tennis is just different than men's tennis. I'm glad that I was fighting even with myself.

But in the end was good and I won. I served couple of break points, which I think it's very important for the next tournaments and next matches, to believe I can still turn it around even though it's 40-15 down, this stuff.

Yeah, I had a great two matches here, playing Jessica, and Laura today. Different players. Still won it. I'm very happy with both matches.

Q. At the start of the season everyone is going into their first matches wondering where their level is. Two matches in, how different do you feel confidence-wise than a week ago?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I have to say that we had (indiscernible) extra in Czech Republic where I played two singles as well. Maybe even this helped me a little bit. I played quite good tennis over there. Of course, not with that great ranking players as Jessica is, for example. But I had couple of practice matches. I think it was kind of helping me as well through my pre-season. I started pretty early this time.

These two matches, of course, gave me some good confident. I'm happy that my wrist, it's much better than the last year in this time of the year. That's great news. I hope I going to stay healthy. It's always big question over there. But so far it's okay.

Yeah, still few things to improve, of course, as always, but otherwise it's good.

Q. If this is your last match here, how do you reflect on the event?

CAPTAIN VANEK: I mean, I think we have one of the toughest group here in the United Cup. Probably United States are the biggest favorite here. So I'm really happy that we beat Germany because they have also such a strong team.

How I said before, in the beginning I did not know pretty well Jiri Lehecka, Tomas Machac, also Dalibor. I know them here just like two, three days ago. For me, they are such a nice guys for bring new, fresh air to our team. Me and Petra traveling already six, seven years together.

I'm really happy. Probably looks like we not going to pass the group. But anyway, we love United Cup, right? We said to each other we could play ten more years if just United Cups, not Fed Cups, not Davis Cups, Petra can play another 10 years. Jut like it men's and girls.

You will play for sure 10 more years, right? You love it.

PETRA KVITOVA: Seems you're just bored to travel with me (smiling).

CAPTAIN VANEK: No, I'm not that bored.

PETRA KVITOVA: I have to say it's great even. I'm very happy with this idea that they came out. As I said, I was always jealous for Laver Cup and ATP Cup. Finally we are in as well. So thank you very much.

No, it's been a real pleasure. I really enjoyed every day. Was a long days, for sure. Even I couldn't celebrate Happy New Year today. It's tough. Otherwise was fun, especially with the boys. It's always different.

They're young. They have a different energy. It's fun to be in a team with Marie as well and Jesika. I never be in the team with them. Yeah, it was really fun.

I think even our performances on court was just different and much better. I think we were fighting. Yeah, was great energy from us. Yeah, 10 more years.

CAPTAIN VANEK: 10 probably too much?

PETRA KVITOVA: Too much.

CAPTAIN VANEK: How about five?

PETRA KVITOVA: Who knows, right (laughter)?