BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 15, 2025

Tathiana Garbin

Jasmine Paolini

Sara Errani

Lucia Bronzetti

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

Tyra Caterina Grant

Team Italy

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Good afternoon. Thank you, Team Italy. We'll begin with a question for the captain.

What are your thoughts on this week? How could you see this week?

CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: It's a pleasure to be here. Every time we looking forward for this moment to share priceless time with my players in this situation.

For me, it's a big honor to be here. A great privilege. We looking forward to be on court tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Tathiana, it's never easy to play the host, to start the tournament. What are you expecting from tomorrow? How excited are you to get going and to feel the energy of the crowd?

CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: Yeah, we have a big respect for our opponent. They are a great players. We know tomorrow, it's going to be difficult. But it's a challenge we like to take.

For this moment we are enjoying this journey. It's going to be a great challenge, especially because we play China, against the host country. For us it's a great competition. We are enjoy every moment together.

Q. Jasmine, you're the reigning champions, obviously. Does it feel any different coming into this week this time or are you trying to keep things as calm as possible?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I mean, not really. It's not really different. I feel the same. It's great to be back playing the Billie Jean King Cup with the team. I really like to play in a team. Every time it's honor, of course, to represent Italy in this competition.

But everything, it's the same. We are practicing together. We are enjoying the time together. So it's fun. Maybe it's a bit different from a single tournament, but I really like it.

Q. Tyra, what is it like to join this team, to be part of it for the first time here? What are your memories of maybe watching them last year, watching them in previous years?

TYRA CATERINA GRANT: Obviously it's amazing to be called to be part of the team. I'm so happy to be here. It's my second time in China. Definitely as memorable as the first time.

Yeah, I remember watching them last year from home. I think being here, actually being part of the team this time, is amazing, of course.

Q. Jasmine, you've had a really great season this season. How do you feel to take a small break from the tournaments and come back to play against different countries, play for Italy?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, I feel great. I'm looking always forward to play this kind of competition. I really like. It's an honor, how I said before.

Hopefully I'm going to put a good level. If I play tomorrow, I'm going to fight until the last ball. Hopefully it's going to be a good match for us.

Q. You're playing against Team China. Do you have any comments? You might meet each other through the tournament. How do you think about the China team?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think the China team is really strong. You are playing the home guys, so you have a big crowd beside you. I think it's going to be tough for us.

But we are a good team. We hope to play three good matches. We try our best, of course. But it's going to be a really, really tough match.

Q. The China season is upcoming. What is your goal or expectation through the China season?

JASMINE PAOLINI: We start with Beijing, then there are two more tournaments. I'm going to play in Wuhan, then Ningbo. I'm going to try to put the level there and play good matches. That's the goal, trying to keep working, to play good matches, and we'll see.

Q. Chinese fans call you Boss.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes (smiling).

Q. You play very strong, very professional. What is your reply to that? There are a lot of fans waiting for you in the hotel. What do you want to say to all the fans?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I really like it, of course (smiling). I hope to hear them cheering for me in the next tournaments. Yeah, I want to hear that.

Q. Because of the injury, Qinwen wasn't able to play here. Do you have any words to Zheng?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, I lost with her I think every match I play against her. She's a great player. I saw she was injured, but I think she's coming back soon. Just that she's a really great player, yeah, great level of tennis.