BILLIE JEAN KING CUP: USA VS GREAT BRITAIN

September 20, 2025

Anne Keothavong

Katie Boulter

Sonay Kartal

Team Great Britain

Semi-Final Press Conference

J. PEGULA/K. Boulter

3-6, 6-4, 6-2

Team USA - 2

Team Great Britain - 0

THE MODERATOR: Anne, I'll start with a question for you. Tough battle today. Can you give us your thoughts on the tie overall.

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Yeah, really tough today. But I think the players either side of me should still hold their heads high. I think we really took it to the American team this evening. The matches were close. Chances in both matches, in the second set, for both players.

I've said throughout the week, this competition is really important to all of us. I think you could see how much it meant to the players competing out there, how much they wanted it. They threw everything at it but came up short. That's sport for you.

It wasn't to be this time. We'll have another opportunity next year.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Katie, what went so right in the first set and how did the match change for you?

KATIE BOULTER: I haven't really had time to look back at it yet. I did notice on the score my serving numbers were pretty high. I think they were in a really good place. I don't think they were as good in the second and third as they were in the first. That's also a credit to her returning. I felt like she started to understand where I was going with the serve and playing some really good points off of it.

But yeah, I'll look back at the match. I honestly haven't really processed it that much right now so it's tough for me to say.

Q. It's kind of tough to lose from a leading position. You played against two world-class players. What are the things you're most proud of from this tie in particular?

KATIE BOULTER: For me personally, I always love walking out there and playing for my country. I think for me it's where I get my biggest wins and my lowest losses, as well.

You know what, at the same time I know it's going to motivate me for a very long time. Obviously a match like that against a top-quality player, I can't expect myself to win every time. I'm actually at a stage where I expect myself to win those matches, which is why it hurts more.

I think that's a good thing. I think it shows the level that I'm at. I take the positive side of that. Yeah, I'm pleased with myself and how I put myself out there this week and started the week from start to finish, I think it was really good.

Q. Anne, this is the third semifinal in the last four years. A tough loss to take today. That's really positive, those results. Can you talk about the pride you have in this team and those results.

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Yeah, I think as a team we've come such a long way. This is my eighth year as captain. The fact that we're competing to reach the Final in this, and we've showed consistency in recent years, challenging the very best.

Our ambition is still very much to lift that trophy one day. To lift that trophy, you've got to beat some of the best players in the world. I do believe we have players that are capable of it. I mean, both players here this evening came close.

This will motivate us. I think it's just important to really remember how far we've come, but also they should feel proud of themselves.

I think this competition takes a lot out of players. It's a busy schedule. But the fact that I've got a team of players here this week who show up, who take a huge amount of pride and joy in representing their nation, the environment we've created as a team, I'd like to think it's a joyful place for everyone to be and to be part of.

So yeah, we will continue to work and go after it again.

Q. Sonay, what are the positives you'll draw from this?

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, obviously absolutely gutted. It was my first experience this year of playing the qualifiers and playing here. I think there's a lot of emotion. Super gutted we couldn't pull through it.

On a personal level, I think my level since Wimbledon has not been anywhere near what it has been and needs to be. The match I played the other day, for me I didn't think it was my greatest match. Today I felt like my form was much better. I was doing a lot of good things, stuff that I need to do on the court, forcing myself.

Yeah, personally I feel like hopefully I can take this match and give me the momentum that I was having the last few months.

Yeah, I'm obviously super gutted, but happy with how I performed and how I carried myself out on the court today.

Q. The tournament will be here next year. Does it put the bit between your teeth to come back next time?

SONAY KARTAL: For sure. It's these weeks that I've always said that there are a few I think highlights in people's careers. For me, playing these events is top three. It's a huge honor to represent your country. I think these are the most enjoyable weeks, the toughest weeks. Like Katie said, it's tough when we get this close.

Yeah, it's been an unbelievable week for me. I've loved every single second. There are a lot of people behind the scenes that are going above and beyond that helped me and Katie perform on the court today. So, yeah, I've absolutely loved it.

Q. Katie, you say you're expecting your yourself to win these matches. Is that representative of the upward trajectory you are on?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I feel like I don't really gauge my level sometimes by my ranking. I think the last few weeks my level hasn't been where I expect myself to be.

I feel like I've been on an upward trajectory for a while. I'm kind of not shocked that I've had a little dip. I also expect myself to kind of hit the bottom and then jump back up again.

I feel like my motivation's back. I feel like it's there every single day. It's a really nice feeling to have because I don't take that for granted. I think the last couple of months have been tough. My level is back. I know what I am capable of. Expecting myself to win that today. As I said before, it hurts. I think it does show what I can do out there. I do hope that people like that don't want to see my name in a draw, as well.

Yeah, I know what I can do sometimes.

Q. Katie, I'd like to know on this surface in particular what are the main challenges of playing against Jessica?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, I mean, Jessie, I've played her two times now on a hard court, one faster one, today was slower. She's a very good ball-striker. I feel like you have to play the perfect point to kind of win it. She makes you go for more and more. She moves extremely well but also can punish you if you don't hit it properly.

Yeah, she's obviously one of the best players in the world. I have a lot of respect for her. She's been around top 10 for a very long time now. I'm sure she'll still be there for a fair amount of time.

Q. Anne, it's a few years playing with this format. How stimulating can be for the future knowing you are doing great? How stimulating is knowing now you have a format where you have a lot of teams that every year could come to try to win despite the nomination themselves?

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: The format's not changing, is it? No more changes coming up?

THE MODERATOR: No more changes.

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Okay (smiling). What was the question?

Q. How stimulating is knowing you have a lot of teams? It seems it is less about nominations, you have groups, more teams?

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: I mean, look, there are a lot of strong teams out there. Sorry, I've just lost my train of thought.

We'll have another opportunity come April. I guess we don't know who we play in April until they play the Playoffs in November. But we're back to the home and away ties in April.

Like I said, this is a competition that means a lot to us. I think as a team we have found our rhythm. Everyone's kind of roles and responsibilities are clear. The ambition is still very much the same.

It's a collective goal for all of us. We won't rest until we get there.