BILLIE JEAN KING CUP: ITALY VS UKRAINE

September 20, 2025

Tathiana Garbin

Sara Errani

Tyra Grant

Jasmine Paolini

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

Lucia Bronzetti

Team Italy

Semi-Final Press Conference

ERRANI-PAOLINI/Kostyuk-Kichenok

6-2, 6-3

Team Italy - 2

Team Ukraine - 1

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations, Team Italy. What a great moment. Tathiana, can you tell us how you're feeling right now.

CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: It's an unbelievable moment. The girls show how is the fight, how is to give your heart for your country, to give a lot of proud to be here in the final. They show really the unity. Here all the team is in the conference because it's all part of this big win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Jasmine, how did you turn around that singles match?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I don't know how I turn around this match. I did it. I stayed there all the points. This time I was a bit more lucky than her maybe. The last time I lost with match point (smiling).

It's tennis. It happens. This time I'm happy I stayed there. I tried to find solution to beat her. I think she's a very great player, strong player. Every time it's a fight against her. Wasn't easy.

I have to thank the bench, of course, the captain, everyone who was there trying to push myself through the match. Yeah, I'm really happy that we managed to won this tie.

Q. You had to play brave tennis in the third set. A 16-minute game. What were you telling yourself in your head?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yeah, was tough. I was trying to find a balance between hitting the ball strong and be consistent. That game was so tough. Winning that game I think really help me in the third set.

You know, I think in the third set was the best set where I played my best tennis through the match. But yeah, it was tough. Was really, really tough.

Q. Sara, the scoreline maybe doesn't show how close some of those games were and how much fight you had to show as a team. Can you sum up what it felt like to make another final for you.

SARA ERRANI: Yeah, of course I'm really happy. Yeah, was a tough match. We start really good. The second 3-1 down, so was not easy. Many, many games had advantage.

I mean, I'm so happy. Was a tough day. Of course, winning these matches is always giving you big emotion. Really happy to share this moment with the team.

Q. Jasmine, in both your singles and doubles matches today, many Chinese fans are cheering for you. How do you feel about that? Do you feel you are playing at home?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Was amazing. Today was really amazing. I think the crowd really help me in the tough moments, especially in the singles.

Yeah, it's really a pleasure to play in front of that crowd. They push us through the win. Also in doubles. It's great to have them pushing us and cheering for us.

Hopefully they're coming also on Sunday and hopefully they will cheering for us.

Q. Tathiana, this is the third final in a row. What do you think this says about your team and the legacy in Italian tennis?

CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: I'm like to have these girl with me. They fight every ball. Every time they wear the national jacket, they put extra efficiency on court.

I think it's historical moment for the Italian tennis, not just men. Today again they show how strong they are when they have a dream and they running for the same dream. They building a great unity. I'm just lucky to be here and be present with these magnificent girls.