UNITED CUP

December 31, 2023

Torben Beltz

Alexander Zverev

Angelique Kerber

Team Germany

Press Conference

KERBER-ZVEREV/Moratelli-Sonego

6-3, 6-0

A. ZVEREV/L. Sonego

6-7, 6-3, 6-4

J. PAOLINI/A. Kerber

6-4, 7-5

Team Italy - 1

Team Germany - 2

THE MODERATOR: Well done, Team Germany. Quick reaction from each of you, starting from the captain, and Angie, coming back after a long layoff, and Sascha who won the two points.

CAPTAIN TORBEN BELTZ: Thank you. I think it's going to be difficult to keep it short because I have so many things to say right now.

ANGELIQUE KERBER: It's late.

CAPTAIN TORBEN BELTZ: It's very late for everybody. I'm sorry. I'm just very happy. First-time team captain for Team Germany, and have these kind of matches, especially from these two.

Sascha said it's not only these two, it's also the whole team. I think we have a good chemistry and a good last, two, three days here. But I think we had also just the start today, I think Angie had a good comeback, she lost the match but I think she played very good and very close match.

So we started with kind of 0-3 sets. Angie lost two, Sascha the first one, but then we came back. I think it was a really great effort. Also the mixed was just great today. So the team captain is very happy. (Laughter.)

ANGELIQUE KERBER: Yeah, for me, actually it's a long, long day in the office again (smiling). Yeah, playing my first match after 18 months, it was really special, really intense. Also, a close match. I think I already played on a really high level against her, but of course I think there are still missing few things, but that's why I'm here, that's why I am looking forward to have more matches.

Yeah, I really enjoyed it and it's so nice to being back on court. Also here in Australia, which is one of my special country, and special tournaments. And but of course then winning my first match beside Sascha after my coming back, yeah, it's a great feeling.

Yeah, I just enjoyed it also on the bench, watching Sascha playing. It's a great feeling to being back here. So late again (smiling).

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: What was the question?

THE MODERATOR: How are you feeling about your two wins today? How happy you are to start the season with such a big result.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: It's great. I mean, I think especially a singles match, actually both matches, but I think singles match was extremely high level. I mean, for first match of the season, normally you're a bit rusty. Normally you're not feeling quite the ball well, and there is a lot more unforced errors than usual. I feel like Lorenzo played maybe one of the best matches he's played in a very long time, maybe his career. I was happy to kind of push against that and fight against that.

Yeah, I'm obviously very happy with the singles match. Just generally happy with the result that we could beat Italy and now it's in our hands to go through to the quarterfinals against France.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Angie, how did it feel to be back compared to what you expected competing again?

ANGELIQUE KERBER: You know, I had no idea how I will feel after so long, but it felt good. I mean, of course, like I said, it's the few things missing, but to playing two matches in a day, I think after so long, I don't know how I will feel tomorrow. I think this is more the question (smiling).

But for now, I'm feeling good. It really feels well to --

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I'm exhausted. (Laughter.)

ANGELIQUE KERBER: It feels great to being back and playing in front of full stadium again. I think this is what I was missing the last few months.

Q. Sascha, you alluded to your next match sort of going to be a very different opponent for you. What do you expect from that one?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I mean, with Mannarino, we had a lot of very, very tough battles, and we had a few which are not tough battles. But I always prepare to go very long in the distance with him, because, you know, the battles that we had, they lasted over three hours.

You know, once at the US Open where it's best-of-five, we played over four hours, four sets. He's somebody that is very dangerous and very good, especially on these kind of courts where the ball stays low and it goes through the court a lot.

But I'm looking forward to it. Obviously we are here as a team, and every match matters.