UNITED CUP

December 28, 2022

Alexander Bublik

Yulia Putintseva

Timofey Skatov

Zhibek Kulambaveva

Denis Yevseyev

Gozal Ainitdinova

Grigoriy Lomakin

Team Kazakhstan

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Can you give us your thoughts on your participation in United Cup?

DENIS YEVSEYEV: Well, I really like to be in Brisbane. It's the first time.

GOZAL AINITDINOVA: This is also my first time in Brisbane.

GRIGORIY LOMAKIN: We hope try better and do it.

ZHIBEK KULAMBEYEVA: I'm really happy and excited to be here and do it. To play for my country, it's always like good for sure. I hope it will be great experience for all of us.

CAPTAIN BUBLIK: It's great to be back in Brisbane. Been here first time in 2017 when they hosted the ATP event here. It's always been a great memories, one of my favorite stops in Australia. Pretty excited to play here, center court, and have this inaugural United Cup and be part of it.

YULIA PUTINTSEVA: It's great to be back in Brisbane. I also been here a couple times before. It's a great city, great venue. I really enjoy playing here. To have this special event first time and being here as a team, I think it's a great opportunity for our country as well and I'm looking forward to it.

TIMOFEY SKATOV: Yeah, also excited to play this tournament, especially our great team to spend time with these guys like be together. Yeah, I hope we will show great tennis and we will fight for every point.

Q. As the playing captain, I can't remember exactly the qualification, but Kazakhstan was one of the last teams that got announced in the field. Does that mean you guys are flying under the radar a bit, maybe dangerous like that coming in kind of in the last minute? Not the last minute but kind of do you know what I mean? Is there a potential that you can fly a little bit under the radar and maybe do some damage that way?

CAPTAIN BUBLIK: It's the same like qualifying last year ATP Finals. We still in and we still playing and I think we have a good team, try to get some damage and see how it goes.

Q. How are the team practices going? What is the strength of the team you think can do well here in Brisbane?

CAPTAIN BUBLIK: Me and Yulia, strong first, Timofey second, and we have Zhibek is going to play her first probably WTA match, which is going to be two-sided. Maybe she's going to go and get some great game and we will see.

We practice well, we work hard, we try to stay together as a team and get some fun practice like we had today, all on one court playing some games.

For me it's the first-time event, team event, so I try to make it as funny as possible because we have so many serious events during the year. It's one more week to enjoy a little bit different type of tennis.

Q. Yulia, you own the most singles wins for Kazakhstan in Billie Jean King Cup, and Alex, you have a great record in Davis Cup. I want to know what it is about playing for your country that helps you play a higher level?

YULIA PUTINTSEVA: I mean, it's great to have your support team as when you play. It gives you a little bit more power and enjoying it a little bit more when you have a captain on the court as well.

You're together as a team. It's always help you to play your best.

Q. Anybody can answer this one. She's not here with you guys, but Elena Rybakina, when she won Wimbledon, that was a big moment for your country. What was it like to watch her win Wimbledon? Was that inspiring for all of you when you go forward in your tennis careers to see someone you know win one of the biggest tournaments in the world?

CAPTAIN BUBLIK: I mean, of course it's great for our country. I was not watching the final but I knew she won. I was very happy because I think it brought a lot of kids to the game, and I've been to Kazakhstan after that.

Seeing her as a Wimbledon winner, it gives me, I'm proud for her, I'm proud for the country, and I'm really happy that she brought a lot of kids, a lot of kids came in to the tennis center. There's been a lot but she brought even more.

It's just a big achievement for the whole country and for herself. I mean, me personally, I'm very proud and I was really happy to see all these kids and people who is coming to practice and enjoying the game.