UNITED CUP

December 30, 2023

Wesley Koolhof

Demi Schuurs

Tallon Griekspoor

Arantxa Rus

Team Netherlands

Press Conference

KOOLHOF-SCHUURS/Eikeri-Ruud

7-6(5), 7-5

C. RUUD/T. Griekspoor

6-3, 6-4

A. RUS/M. Helgo

7-6, 6-1

Team Netherlands - 2

Team Norway - 1

THE MODERATOR: Congrats, Team Netherlands. Wesley, you had a long day. You sat through two singles matches, and then you broke the deciding win with Demi. Just talk us through the day, and how big was that mixed doubles win?

WESLEY KOOLHOF: Long day. Obviously proud of the team. We won this tie. I think Arantxa played an unbelievable match. I thought her opponent played at a very high level, but in the end second set she was on fire.

Unfortunately, Tal, yeah, I left after one set. Then I thought he actually played a bit better, so maybe it was me, but then Casper took over again.

In the end, yeah, important match. I think mixed doubles here obviously is the key one to either win the tie or to maybe get a 3-love out of it or to save the team a bit.

But, no, I think it was a very good level. I think we broke Casper three times and waited for the final last game of Ulrikke to break her.

Happy with everyone's performance, except the one from Tallon, but that's fine. We'll talk about it later. No, very proud of the team. It's a good start for us to end 2023 with a win.

THE MODERATOR: Demi, what do you think was the key in the mixed doubles win today?

DEMI SCHUURS: I think to break Casper three times. I think it was kind of a roller coaster, this mix. They were up. We came back. We had chances. We didn't take the chances. At the end it was just a few little points that made a difference, but I think on the important moments we were very sharp.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Demi, coming into the tournament with you in the top 20, in the top 10 for doubles, you must be thinking that the strong doubles combination you've got gives the team an advantage.

DEMI SCHUURS: Yeah, I think we have a strong mixed team, of course, but I think overall the team is pretty strong. We have two good single players. We have a good mixed team. Even in the mix we can change players. I think we have a lot of options, but in general, the quality and the level is high.

Q. And whereas this year with mixed doubles being one of three points as opposed to last year, one of five points, as a doubles player, you must appreciate the extra importance on the mixed doubles?

WESLEY KOOLHOF: Yeah, definitely. It's also for the Davis Cup, same thing for the men's doubles. Obviously, if it's one out of three matches, and we only need one singles match, and then you are playing a deciding match.

For us doubles players it's good. A lot of pressure on that match, so it's good to practice that as well going into the Australian Open.

I enjoyed it. Like Demi said, I think it was a very good match. It's always good to win that first mixed doubles and in the end to win the tie.

Q. Congratulations on your win today. Can you just talk us through a little bit about the victory and later on the camaraderie about being in the box and the team spirit, watching the mixed doubles tie play out?

ARANTXA RUS: My singles today was tough. Especially the first set, and also the first match of the year is always difficult.

I think it was a high level. We played both good tennis. She plays very aggressive, good forehand. I think it was very important, the tiebreak, that I played every point. I kept fighting. I stayed in the match even if I didn't play my best tennis.

Then the second set I started to feel better and serving better, play more aggressive. So, yeah, I'm very happy with my first win here.

Q. Tallon, obviously it's a tough first match of the season, but how nice is it for you knowing you're going to come here and you're playing one of the best players in the world to start your year?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: That's something you work for playing these guys. Yeah, tough match today, but I felt Casper played a high level, didn't give me much.

I was struggling a bit. Didn't have the best pre-season, off-season, whatever it's called. Trying to use every day and getting better day-by-day, getting the hours in, getting used to the conditions here.

So, yeah, tough day, but really happy with the rest of the team, how they did. Yeah, fun mixed doubles to end the day, yeah.

Q. How much fun did you have? After the singles it could have been easy to just sort of sit by yourself, but to be the de facto captain of the team there.

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: I'm not really the guy who is going to sit by myself and cry about my singles. Didn't play my best. Didn't play bad. It was a bit up and down. Casper played well. You play a high-quality opponent, so it is what it is. Trying to take the positives from it.

Yeah, trying to be there to help the team. It's a team event. It's something I like, and I'm really happy with how they did.