BILLIE JEAN KING CUP: KAZAKHSTAN VS USA

September 18, 2025

Yuriy Schukin

Elena Rybakina

Yulia Putintseva

Team Kazakhstan

Quarter-Final Press Conference

PEGULA-TOWNSEND/Rybakina-Putintseva

6-2, 7-6

Team USA - 2

Team Kazakhstan - 1

THE MODERATOR: Yuriy, bad luck today, but could you please talk us through the tie.

CAPTAIN YURIY SCHUKIN: Yeah, it's tough day today. Well, what can I say? I know the team give everything. We play one of the best team. We had, like, really two unbelievable, three unbelievable matches. Was so close.

I'm proud of the team. I know they give not even 100%, but 110%. It's a sport, like one team going to lose.

Well, I think we showed the American team we are, like, really strong, too. We could beat every team.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Elena, could you talk through the doubles match, in particular. What do you think proved the difference in the end?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Well, I think that they little bit more experienced, I would say that's for sure. I think we played really well. It was pretty close.

I had some little chances. But again, they're a strong team. I think we did pretty well today. Hopefully next time it's going to go our way.

Q. I saw at the end of the match you spent a lot of time signing autographs for the fans. Talk about the fans that showed up for your team.

ELENA RYBAKINA: Yeah, it's really nice to see so many fans. Really grateful for the support. It was nice atmosphere. I just didn't have time after singles to spend a bit time, so I did it after doubles.

Definitely they supported us a lot. It's great.

Q. Elena, you played singles and then you played doubles. How do you feel to play singles and then doubles?

ELENA RYBAKINA: Of course, singles and doubles is different. I think, as I said, we did pretty well in all the singles. Doubles, just a little bit unlucky. But overall I think we showed good tennis. Hopefully fans also enjoyed.

Yeah, I think the next time we just analyze and we try to do better than today.

Q. What was your feeling here in Shenzhen? You stayed a couple days already. How do you feel about the whole journey here?

ELENA RYBAKINA: I really like to play in China. Here I think they treated us pretty well. The city is very nice, very green. Hopefully I can also stay a little bit tomorrow and enjoy the city, have a nice day off, so yeah...

Q. After this match, are you going to the China Open? What are your future plans for the rest of the season?

ELENA RYBAKINA: There is still some days to prepare. That's what we're going to do with the team.

Again, I'm pretty happy to be back in China. Hopefully I can finish the year strong.