UNITED CUP

January 2, 2023

Iva Majoli

Tara Wurth

Borna Gojo

Team Croatia

Press Conference

WURTH-GOJO/Podoroska-Etcheverry

1-6, 6-4, 10-4

Team Croatia - 5

Team Argentina - 0

THE MODERATOR: First of all, congratulations to Team Croatia. Very solid win today with all five matches in your hands. Captain Majoli, how does it feel for you now?

IVA MAJOLI: Feels good. It was a long day, but we managed to close it out. I'm very proud of this team who end up winning their mixed doubles. It was first time for Tara playing, and was a little bit nervous at the beginning but then got her rhythm and played really great until the end of the match.

Borna, who played a great singles match and continued in doubles. We are very happy with our win today, but tomorrow is a new day and we have a tough match against France. We have to get ready. Let's fight tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Tara, that must have been your biggest crowd, playing in a big stadium. Could you talk about how you settled your nerves as the match went on? You started nervously and then played really well in the end.

TARA WURTH: We'll, yeah, it's true. It's my first time playing on a big stadium with that kind of crowd. First set was tough, but as the match goes, Borna was giving me great advices. He was making me laugh. He was just supportive, and in the end I calmed, I focused on tennis, not on everything that goes around. I focused on him, as well.

Yeah, it was really nice play.

Q. Borna, what kind of jokes did you tell Tara to calm her down?

BORNA GOJO: I don't know. It just happens in the moment. Just try to be relaxed and play the game, you know. As I told her, she should enjoy. It's a big stage, and it's why we all play tennis, to play in the stages like this.

The best moments are these, and to get a win is even more special. So I'm really happy.

Q. Tara, you really improved your ranking over the past year. Obviously you must be aiming for the top 100 this year. What has this week, being around Donna and Petra and both Bornas, what kind of confidence has that given you as you try and get to the next level?

TARA WURTH: Well, yeah, yeah. It's amazing to be around these top players and to see how they work, how they play, where can I improve, what more can I learn from them.

So far, yeah, so far, so good, and they are as well helping me. So I'm really grateful for that.

Q. Before the week started, Donna made a joke about a manicure. Can you explain what was behind that?

TARA WURTH: Yeah, we had practice back in Zagreb, and before our practice started we say, Okay, as the tournament is going, we have to play some points, and we decided to play set, but Donna said, Oh, well, you cannot play set. You have to play for something. So I said, Name it and we're gonna play it. So she named manicure. I said, Okay.

I can see she was really fighting. No, it was really close match, 7-6, but no, she's gonna get her manicure, as well (smiling). I will not let her down.

Q. Iva, I noticed on the bench you made humorous jokes to all the players. You weren't giving them hard advice? You were calming them down? Is that your style?

IVA MAJOLI: Well, I'm trying to see how the moment comes, you know. Sometimes you don't say nothing . Sometimes you give them serious advice. Sometimes you want to just give them something to relax. It really depends on the situation.

We all know each other very well, and I always try to give them as best possible advice with all the experiences at certain moments. So they're great students, pupils, and I'm happy to be around them, and hopefully we can continue this journey for a while.

Q. You have obviously been Billie Jean King Cup captain. How does being captain for mixed, men's and women's team, been different?

IVA MAJOLI: It's different. Men are more relaxed. They do lots of jokes. There are always some bets around. It's different but it's fun.

You know, I wish we had few more events like this. I think we all agree with that, and we are all enjoying each other's company. Tennis is individual sport, and we always alone and traveling alone. These kind of events, you know, really help us to spend some time together and, you know, I think it's working out great.

Q. I know you were on opposing teams today, but you overlapped with Gisela while you were both playing on tour. Wondered if you had any conversation was her about how you both ended up captaining?

IVA MAJOLI: Yeah, I know Gisela. She's great. Yeah, she texted me before we arrive here, and she said I was coming to Perth for the United Cup. I was really happy, because we got to spend some time in Paris last year with her and Gaby and all the girls who I haven't seen for a while.

It's great seeing her, but it's a busy week. We all have our schedules and they are mostly full. So we didn't get to spend much time together, but we do talk to each other when we see in the players lounge.

Q. Do you think it's important that the two former WTA players are captain of sort of both men and women?

IVA MAJOLI: I think it's great. I think it's great mix, and I think this is what the tournament wanted to do, to have both men and women captains.

I think it's good. I think we are not any less important than the men, and I think with our experiences, we can give lots of good advices, so it doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman.

Yeah, I think everyone is enjoying it, but you will have to ask the players how they feel about it.

Q. Borna?

BORNA GOJO: I love Iva. I think she's great. I enjoy being on court with her, practice and matches. Yeah, all positives from me.

Q. Borna, you've got a history of doing well in these team competitions, because obviously you had those great wins at the Davis Cup in 2021. Do you think representing Croatia brings out some of your best tennis?

BORNA GOJO: Yeah, I guess so. So far it's pretty clear. Yeah, I'm just happy to be here, to have the opportunity. I try to do my best, and, you know, today was good, but tomorrow is a new day. We are playing France. So, yeah, we are gonna try and focus on that, try to win.

Q. Does it feel any different when you're on the court when you're playing for the team?

BORNA GOJO: Yeah, definitely. You have more people there. Kind of a bigger responsibility playing for the country than just for myself, you know.

So, yeah. I mean, I have a lot of ups and downs in the weeks. Sometimes I don't want to play. But when you are here, it's tough not to try your best. So far it was good.

Q. You finished 2022 on a high, winning your challenger title in Italy and hitting your highest ranking. Do you feel like that confidence carried through the offseason and you were just picking up where you left off, or does it feel like a fresh start this season?

BORNA GOJO: I mean, every season is a fresh start. But, yeah, definitely helped I ended the year on a good note, you know. Yeah, just trying to go step by step this year, gonna try to climb the rankings as much as possible. Yeah, looking forward to the year.