BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 15, 2025

Carla Suarez

Paula Badosa

Aliona Bolsova

Leyre Romero

Jessica Bouzas

Cristina Busca

Team Spain

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon. Thank you Team Spain, thank you for joining the press conference.

First question is for Carla. What are your thoughts on this week?

CAPTAIN CARLA SUAREZ: Well, you know, always is great being in Billie Jean King Cup Finals. We are happy to be here.

I think the most difficult here is the jet lag. But we are here already for four days. We were practicing really good. I think the court is really nice, so beautiful.

I think for the moment we are happy to be here and everything is okay.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Carla, just about Ukraine, what are you expecting from their players? They've got two really strong singles players. Tell me about the matchup, how you see it.

CAPTAIN CARLA SUAREZ: Well, for sure will be a really tough tie. They have really good singles players, but also they have a good doubles. We know the players really good.

But, well, you never know. Always in the teams competition, you never know. But well, we are practicing. I think we want to be ready. Difficult moment. Also we want to try to enjoy. I think we are practicing good. Try to be ready, as I say before.

Q. Paula, you're back from injury. Can you tell me how good it feels to be back, how you're feeling on court, and to be with the team in this environment.

PAULA BADOSA: Yeah, it's been a tough couple of months. I'm happy to be back. Of course, day by day I'm feeling a bit better. It's never easy coming after an injury.

I'm feeling great with my teammates. I think in this kind of competition, it's very important to have this good environment, this good team spirit.

Yeah, we're really looking forward for Wednesday. Of course, it's going to be tough. But we're tough also. We love to compete as a country, as a team. I'm really looking forward to that.

Q. Jessica, you made your debut earlier this year. Do you feel different coming into these Finals now you've had that experience and started your Billie Jean King Cup career in a way?

JESSICA BOUZAS: Yeah, I mean, it's the third time I'm here playing for Spain. It was my debut in the quallies. Yeah, now I think I know more the competition.

Yeah, I'm happy to be back to be able to play in the Finals, to be with the team. I think we are practicing good. I think that we are going to be ready for fight against Ukraine.

Q. The qualifiers, you beat some really strong opponents in those matches. Are you trying to take that momentum into this week, as well, because you had some brilliant wins?

JESSICA BOUZAS: For sure, all of the teams are good opponents. It's tough to play against them because they all have a good players. We know that every match is going to be tough.

But I think that we are ready. I think the main point is to be good like as a team and practicing good and feeling good, like, together. I think we are doing well. I think that we will be ready.

Yeah, I know that it's going to be tough, but I think that we will be ready.

Q. Leyre, it's your first nomination. What is it like to be in this team environment with your colleagues?

LEYRE ROMERO: Yeah, I'm enjoying it a lot. For me it's like a dream come true. I've always dreamed of being part of the Spanish national team. I'm enjoying every moment. Also the practices with my teammates, they are really good to me. I'm really enjoying my first experience here with the team.

Q. Wondering if any of you saw any of the Davis Cup yesterday, Spain's comeback from 2-0 down, whether that's inspiration for you guys this week?

CAPTAIN CARLA SUAREZ: Yeah, for sure. Yesterday night we were watching a little bit the first singles of Pedro. We are really happy for them. For sure it's going to help us this week (smiling).

Q. Paula, welcome back to China. I do want to know how you feel this time coming to Shenzhen and how do you think about the fans and the crowd here?

PAULA BADOSA: I love it. I love to come here to China. I have a very good experience from last year. I played one of my best tennis, my best level.

I think I had a very amazing engagement also with the fans, so I'm really looking forward to come back, to be here, to play the Asian Swing.

Yeah, it's my first time in Shenzhen. I'm loving the city. Looking forward to spending all the month here.

Q. We all know you came back from the injury. It was tough. The team is always playing together, you have a spirit. How do you feel coming back and playing like a team, with a group, not just by yourself in the tournament?

PAULA BADOSA: It helps. It helps. Like, coming back from the injury, you feel times a little bit alone. You have ups and downs. Having these people by your side, your people by your side, it's always helpful. It motivates me.

Of course, starting the Asian Swing here, I think it's going to help me for the rest of the season.

Q. The Chinese team, you have met a lot of the Chinese players before. How do you feel about the Chinese team and if you play against each other?

PAULA BADOSA: They're a very strong team. I think they have amazing players in the singles side, the doubles side. Of course they have a very good potential.

I would love to face China here. Why not? It would be a good sign. Of course, I wish them for the best for the competition. I think they're going to do very well.

Q. Coach, same question.

CAPTAIN CARLA SUAREZ: Well, for us, it's going to be a positive thing, no? That means that we beat Ukraine. It's going to be tough, for sure.

At the same time with all the stadium full, I think it's beautiful to see that on a team competition. Well, we'll see what happen in the next days.

Q. Paula, the Chinese season is upcoming. What is your goal for the rest of the season?

PAULA BADOSA: Well, honestly right now my goal is to stay healthy, to play as many matches as possible. Of course, I'm starting again now. I'm coming back again. But I know that the season is ending also soon.

Yeah, try to feel as better as possible. Honestly, my goal is looking already for 2026.