BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

November 19, 2024

Tathiana Garbin

Jasmine Paolini

Sara Errani

Team Italy

Press Conference

ERRANI-PAOLINI/Kawa-Swiatek

7-5, 7-5

Team Poland - 1

Team Italy - 2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Team Italy. Questions in English.

Q. A question for Jasmine. I think it was the first time you played against Iga since the finals at Roland Garros. It was quite striking to see how close you were to Iga on this match. What did you improve? What changed since the last match you played against her? How did you manage to win in the doubles afterwards?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think the surface, for sure. You know, here it's pretty fast. So it was a little bit different match. I was close to win it but not enough, because, I mean, she played unbelievable. Especially in the third set I think she raise her level. Especially with the serve, she started to play better and better.

I had some chances in the second set and maybe also in the third, but I have to say congrats to her, because she play unbelievable in important points.

With the doubles, yeah, tried to, you know, to find the energy after the loss, and yeah, I tried, you know, to say to myself, Look, we have to play, we have to try to win, and let's do it and keep the energy up. I was repeating this to myself.

Q. Congratulations on reaching the final again. Jasmine, you played four hours total today and only had a half-hour break in between. How did you mentally reset between those two matches?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, I was in the locker room with the physio trying to recover as soon as possible, but as I said, I was repeating to myself, Come on, come on now, we have the doubles, and I have to give my 100%. I have to find the energy.

I have to say also that the team, the bench full of the team was supporting us, and it helped me with the energy, of course. You know, when you play I think for your nation, you have also an extra motivation.

So trying to find the energy everywhere, you know, (smiling).

Q. Congratulations. Sara, can we talk about match point? That was an incredible moment to go for the underarm serve. Tell us about it. What was going through your mind?

SARA ERRANI: Well, this year happened often, many times. I don't know. I feel it and I did it. I just advise Jasmine after first serve, so it's just I feel it and I did it, just like that, not thinking too much (smiling).

Q. Sara, if you win the Billie Jean King Cup this year, you will equal Roberta Vinci and Flavia Pennetta with four. How does it feel to be on the verge to make history again this 2024 for your country?

SARA ERRANI: Well, first of all, playing for our country, for Italy, it's always really special. So I have to thank Tathi to make me be in the team again. I'm very happy, I'm very proud to be part of this team. Was a special day today. We fight a lot.

Lucia did an amazing match, and also Jasmine did an incredible match and was not easy to play the doubles after. We are so happy. I'm so happy to won this match and to be in the final again, and we will fight after tomorrow, and let's see what happen.