UNITED CUP

December 29, 2022

David Witt

Taylor Fritz

Madison Keys

Team USA

Press Conference

USA - 2

Czech Republic - 0

THE MODERATOR: Great start. David, how did you feel about the way things went today?

CAPTAIN WITT: It was awesome. I mean, Taylor led us off, got off to a quick start, played some really good tennis. Then Maddie came out and played smart, played well. It was great to get a 2-0 lead.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Taylor, first match of the season, extra nerves maybe. How did you feel out there?

TAYLOR FRITZ: Yeah, I mean, definitely like a bit of nerves. First match of the season. Also, like, playing a team event as well adds to it.

I think in the beginning of the match I handled it much better than maybe my opponent did. I got the early break, then kind of just held on to it.

Yeah, I played pretty solid.

Q. Taylor, how significant is it to get the summer off to such a strong start, looking towards the Australian Open?

TAYLOR FRITZ: Yeah, it's good to start off with a win. Hopefully a lot more wins this week. But, yeah, it's good to start out 2-0 on the day, as well, for the team. I think we're all here to try and win it. It's a great way to start.

Q. Taylor, 2022 was an outstanding year for you. On the eve of 2023, what is your mindset? Do you feel the pressure or do you feel relaxed, trying to reproduce what you did in 2022?

TAYLOR FRITZ: I feel pretty relaxed. The way I kind of just look at it is every season, I just imagine the points we set at zero. Everything is starting from nothing and we just go from there. I'm not looking at it that I have all these points to defend, I'm top 10, I need to stay here.

Everyone starts at zero. Let's just start over, have no pressure, play how I play, we'll see where we're at at the end of the year. Hopefully that will be top 10 or top five.

Q. Maddie, as you start a new season, how do you feel about things? You've got a lot of experience under your belt.

MADISON KEYS: Is that a way of saying I'm old (smiling)?

Q. Not at all.

CAPTAIN WITT: Veteran.

MADISON KEYS: Got it.

Q. Generally, how are things with you?

MADISON KEYS: I think what Taylor said is exactly how a lot of us think of it: we start at zero. That's the whole point of the race. Year after year it's who can honestly just handle the week-to-week, matches after matches.

I think I did a pretty good job last year. I started in a position that I hadn't been in a really long time. So to be able to have the year that I had, I was really happy with that. I think it's a great year to build off of. Happy to come in and have a really good first match here, start things off with some good momentum.

Obviously try to duplicate a lot of what I did last year, but really just think of it as a new year, start at zero, try to play some good tennis.

Q. Madison, on the team dynamic, how was the interaction out there? How did you feel talking to the guys in between games? Do you feel energy coming from the bench?

MADISON KEYS: Yeah, it's great. We've all known each other for a really long time. We've all been really close for a long time.

I think it's great having coaching out there, but then also every time you look over, you have people that you've known forever that are there supporting you. Frances with the comments to try to keep you loose and all that (smiling). It's a really great environment. I think it's always great when we can have some sort of team event. The fact that this is the first time where it's men and women, it's great.

Q. The post-match interview, are your ears okay?

MADISON KEYS: That was a little tough. I'm going to say that wasn't my fault. Hopefully doesn't happen again (laughter).

Q. Maddie, you've had some great results here in Australia. Could you comment on what you like about competing here.

MADISON KEYS: I have always typically done pretty well here to start the year. I love playing here. I think I just do really well. Whether it's the people, I like playing in the heat at the start of the year... It's fast and bouncy. Suits my game really well.

I'm hoping to kind of be able to do that again this year, have a good start to my year.