UNITED CUP

December 28, 2022

Jiri Vanek

Petra Kvitova

Jiri Lehecka

Marie Bouzkova

Tomas Machac

Jesika Maleckova

Team Czech Republic

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Jiri, as the coach, would you like to introduce the team and tell us a bit about them?

CAPTAIN VANEK: Hello. Can I introduce my team? I start with the girls. Jesika here, she's a great doubles player, also she's improving in her singles ranking. Our second player, is Marie, a great year last year, jump in the top 30, make quarterfinal in Wimbledon. Of course, our first player is Petra. I don't have to probably introduce her so much (smiling). Also our team leader.

Then I start with the boys. We have Dalibor, our youngest guy on the team. He's just starting preparing for men's tennis. I hope he can now have some experience to hit here and play well. Our second player, Tomas Machac, first time in top 100 last year. Some good challenger events. Our first player is Jiri Lehecka. Great year last year, semifinal Rotterdam, probably biggest success was final in Next Gen.

That's everything for us.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. For anyone, tennis is such an individual sport normally each week, how nice it to join forces as a team for this event?

JIRI LEHECKA: I got this order to explain everything (smiling).

Yeah, I mean, from my side personally I think to play here as a team is like a great experience, to be as a team. Tennis is an individual sport, as you said. We don't have this chance very often to play here, cheering for each other.

Of course, on the tour we are trying to support ourselves. We are trying to support others, but here it's historically about cheer for each other even on the benches.

Yeah, me personally, I love Davis Cup. We really enjoy the team mood over there. I think we all can take something from this team competition over here and to share our experiences and to try to go as deep as we can.

Q. Petra, you've had a lot of success here in the past. What is it like coming back to Sydney, a different format?

PETRA KVITOVA: Yeah, hello. Well, when we get into the United Cup, I really wished that we could play in Sydney, which happened, so I'm really happy for the place we have, beautiful Rosewall Arena with the roof. I think we can't wish for more.

Obviously coming back with the great memories I have from here, it's always the best. I'm really looking forward to share this beautiful center court and beautiful United Cup with my team.

Q. Petra and Marie, with the season ending so late, how quickly does it feel like this day has come in terms of being a day away from the start of the season? What were your pre-seasons like?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, it's been quite some time since we had our last tournament in Mexico. For myself, just very excited to start off the year here with the team. I think great team, always have a great team spirit over here. Yeah, it just feels nice to start off the year here.

Obviously had like five or six weeks off pre-season. From my side, I just excited to start out the season already.

PETRA KVITOVA: I feel when I'm getting older, the off-seasons are shorter and shorter.

Of course, the time home, no tournament time is flying so quickly always. That happen to me actually as well, Guadalajara, seems really like yesterday. We had a good preparation. I've been sick, as always (smiling).

Yeah, of course we starting in Australia, I think it's always the best place to start the year with the great people here in Australia and great city. I'm really looking forward for getting back in the season, especially in the team competition.

Q. Petra, last night Novak Djokovic coming into the country, how nice is it to see him back?

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, I didn't see him yet, but...

I think it was a big issue last year, of course. We probably don't know the inside of all the things was happening last year. But definitely I think that it's great that he is back here playing, especially in Melbourne, because of the great player he is.

I think it's a great for tennis that he is back in the big competitions. Yeah, I think it's always great to have the best, so yeah.

Q. The tough opening matches that are slated for you guys to start off the year. Talk through your expectations facing Madison, Jessie and Taylor.

PETRA KVITOVA: Well, yeah, I think we don't have really easy group, to be honest. Already tomorrow, it's the starting of it.

But, yeah, I think that USA is one of the strongest what we see here. Playing Jessica, I lost to her last time, but still leading head-to-head.

I going to try to play my game as always. I going to have Jiri on my bench, so hopefully that will help as well. I going to enjoy it, playing Jessica again. I hope for the good revenge.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: For myself, as well. Looking to get revenge to Madison. I lost to her two years ago in Brisbane. I think it's a great first test to get going here. Just looking for a good match tomorrow. Hopefully competitive. Obviously having a team behind you will be different for sure and will be for sure very helpful as well.

JIRI LEHECKA: For me, I feel the same way. To play here, have these kind of matches before the season, it's always like a good help to test your performance. Even some good chance to get some points, gain some good experience through this United Cup.

Of course I wouldn't be the favorite against Taylor, but I think that I have the game that I can surprise good players. I think if I will play my game, I will try to concentrate on everything that I should. Of course, I know that I'm capable of beating him, but we will see. He's the more experienced guy. Everything can happen.

But we will see tomorrow.