BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

April 13, 2023

Kathy Rinaldi

Coco Gauff

Danielle Collins

Caty McNally

Sofia Kenin

Team USA

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Team USA, we had an idea yesterday when you spoke, but, Cathy, what is your outlook on this tie for this weekend now that the matchups are set?

CAPTAIN RINALDI: Yeah, I think we've had a great week of preparation, the best that we can with the weather. We've had some really good practices. I think everybody's gotten used to the conditions.

Like I said yesterday, we're not taking this lightly. We're going in prepared. We're going to prepare like we prepare for any other tie, not be overconfident.

We have a lot of respect for our opponents. I'm sure they're going to come out and play at their best, and that's the what we're going to try to do, too, play at our best.

Q. Coco and Jess, how long does it in a match take you to get accustomed to a player that you might not have ever played?

JESSICA PEGULA: I don't know. I think for me it's pretty quick. Maybe a couple games. It's not even having like the four- to five-minute warmup, you get a feel for their ball really quickly.

It depends on the courts, the conditions, how they're playing, what kind of suits each other's games.

I think we'll adjust pretty fast. I think it happens quite a lot on tour where you play someone you haven't played and you have to adapt pretty fast.

COCO GAUFF: Yeah, pretty much what she said. I'm going to watch a little bit of film, so I think I can kind of visualize that based off the watching.

Q. Danielle, you always seem to kind of want to commit to playing Billie Jean King Cup. You've played a few times in the last couple years. What does it mean to you to always be able to fit this in on your schedule and playing for the U.S. team?

DANIELLE COLLINS: Yeah, I mean, for me, I love representing my country. I love being on a team and having the camaraderie. It's a really nice mix-up from the individual nature of our sport.

Yeah, I mean, I feel like this is the one event out of the year I never want to say no to. I always want to make myself available.

Luckily I've been able to be healthy most of the weeks that we have Billie Jean King Cup, so I've been able to be present. It meant the world to be being on this team and on previous teams, as well, with so many women that I've known for so long.

I think Jessica and I are the same age, so we knew each other a little bit like in the juniors. Yeah, then just like with the younger girls, it's been so fun to see them rising up, watching them take off with their careers, so...

Q. Caty, having made your debut at the finals last year in Glasgow, now you have the opportunity to play a home tie, which is a little bit different kind of vibes, what are your thoughts on being able to be able to do that?

CATY MCNALLY: Yeah, I'm super excited to be here. When Kathy called me up, I was of course going to say yes.

But to be here alongside these amazing women who are not only amazing tennis players but just really good people, I just feel super lucky to be a part of this team.

Whatever I can do to help us get through this tie, I'm going to do it. But I'm looking forward to playing doubles with Danielle, cheer on the team this weekend.

Q. Sonia, how have the team's vibes been over the week? Do you have anything fun planned, outings, activities?

SOFIA KENIN: We have a good dinner last night. Now that the sun is out, we can figure out something good to do. I'm sure Kathy and the team will figure out something fun to do.

Q. Kathy, I did hear that you are itching to tell the world who on your team your beach buddy would be. I might have put you on the spot.

CAPTAIN RINALDI: Oh, my God. You guys were doing rapid fire questions. I said, I didn't get to ask. You didn't ask me those questions (laughter).