BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 17, 2024

Matej Liptak

Viktoria Hruncakova

Rebecca Sramkova

Team Slovakia

Press Conference

R. SRAMKOVA/A. Tomljanovic

6-1, 6-2

Team Slovakia - 2

Team Australia - 0

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations for the victory to the whole team. We will start the press conference with questions in English, please.

Q. A question to Rebecca. Congratulations. You said on court that you felt like you were in the zone. Can you just talk about what that feel likes and how often you play a match feeling that way.

REBECCA SRAMKOVA: Well, I knew that I am in a good form for last two months. I had good results, so I was confident from those matches. I felt so good on the court today as well like against USA.

Q. Viktoria, congratulations, as well. Can you talk through the match? What were the keys for you in that battle today?

VIKTORIA HRUNCAKOVA: Yeah, I think my serve was working very well today. That was very important. I was very happy and proud that in the important moments, I stayed aggressive and I went for it, and in the end, it worked out. I'm very pleased with that.

Q. You have such a great record in this competition. Is there a difference between you as a player in this competition and the tour? Can you talk about how different it feels?

VIKTORIA HRUNCAKOVA: To be honest, I always love to play for my country since I was, I don't know, like 12 and we were playing the summer camps, winter camps and all that for the country, and I always loved to be part of the team.

For some reason, when I play Billie Jean King Cup, you know, I always play my best. I give all my heart there. So far, so good, so I'm happy.

Q. And one for the captain. Could you talk about the decision today to change the lineup and bring Viktoria in for the singles? What was the thought behind that?

CAPTAIN MATEJ LIPTAK: Oh, it's strategy. I mean, I know all my girls, and I tried to choose the right ones. So it happens. I'm so happy about that.

I know what can I expect from them and how they play these matches. I think, for example, Rebecca is now in very good shape, so yeah, I'm so happy about the result.

It's another big country which we beat, and I'm so proud for the girls, for our team members, for country, because we are a small country. For us, it's really meaning so much. So I'm happy.

Q. How significant is it that you have beaten two Grand Slam nations, the U.S., Australia, maybe another one in the semifinals with Great Britain, as well? What does that mean for a country like yours? For anyone.

VIKTORIA HRUNCAKOVA: I mean, for us, it's always a big challenge, you know, to play those countries. I think it's fun. I think all of us are looking forward to play these amazing players. We have nothing to lose. That's why I think we enjoy it so much.

Yeah, we are doing good, and hopefully we're gonna keep doing that.

CAPTAIN MATEJ LIPTAK: We love this feeling when it's challenge for us, but still, you need to show the level on the court. It's not only about challenge. It's really to show the level of the game, and we show it also. That's why we beat these countries, I think.