UNITED CUP

January 10, 2026

Stan Wawrinka

Belinda Bencic

Jakub Paul

Luca Castelnuovo

Naima Karamoko

Team Switzerland

Press Conference

Team Switzerland - 2

Team Belgium - 1

THE MODERATOR: Team Switzerland, congratulations for reaching the United Cup final. Captain, can you talk about your experience on the court and the team zone for eight hours.

STAN WAWRINKA: It's not going to be long answer. I cannot talk anymore (smiling).

Very proud of the team. Again, MVP, Kubie. Well done. Belinda, show us again why you are a great champion was a tough one this morning, but you went through it.

As a captain, it's amazing to watch and try to help the way I can. Super proud with the energy we have in this team. We have so much fun since the day one. It's amazing to be in the final, mainly because of Belinda. So well done, Belinda (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: We'll open it up to questions.

Q. You were all on the bench for each other's matches. Talk about the camaraderie and adapting to conditions from Perth to Sydney.

BELINDA BENCIC: Well, I just have to say, I mean, Stan pushes me through in my singles, then he tries to push himself through in his singles, then he pushes us over the line in the mixed. I don't know what to say. It's just amazing.

You can see how much you put your heart into it. Best captain (smiling).

Of course, was great also with Kubie and the rest of the bench. I think you guys are praying when we are playing (laughter).

I think we just all really want this so much. You can feel it. You can see it. We really are a team. We feel that way. You can definitely feel it when you're playing. It's fully something that gives us the extra push and the extra motivation.

JAKUB PAUL: For me it's also easy to watch those two play the singles. They play really good matches. Can't really leave in the third set or anything to warm up for the doubles. They make it easy to watch and support them.

As Belinda said, Stan is just amazing. After his long singles match, he's just for the first point of our mixed doubles there. That just gives us really good energy for the match.

Q. And the conditions.

BELINDA BENCIC: Brutal.

STAN WAWRINKA: It was, of course, hot. It wasn't easy to adapt for sure because is not the same condition, is not the same center court. Of course, they try maximum to make it equal, make it the some. But when you change city, when you change also with the roof indoor, it was for me a little bit difficult. At the beginning was a bit faster, flying a little bit more, so we had to adapt.

At the end we did it well. Even if I lost, I'm quite happy with my performance. I'm happy with my match. I fight through it. I would have prefer to win it, but at the end we won as a team, so I'm super happy.

Q. Belinda, just going to your match, up a break in that final set, things get tight. Were you getting nervous at that point? Looked like you were getting a bit anxious on the court, regrouping for the one-sided tiebreak.

BELINDA BENCIC: Yeah, I think today was really overcoming myself I think. It was a bit weird. You're still in the same tournament, you play semifinal, but it feels like a first-round match again because it's a different site. It's very special. It never happens normally in a normal tournament. I think it felt a little bit that way. I think I was just a little bit off maybe for the whole match with myself, with my thoughts.

Again, I mean, I just have everyone pushing me through in this moment. I'm not allowed to let myself down or not try to give up, I never give up, but not letting yourself down. Thanks to everyone.

I'm really happy also some days like this where you are maybe more anxious on the court or more nervous, I felt at one point I had to let all my emotions out, yeah. It helped (smiling).

Q. Stan, during your singles everything was very even till about 3-All in the third set. You made a few mistakes that we don't normally expect from you. Was it the heat? Did you have a problem with your leg?

STAN WAWRINKA: The last thing you didn't mention, my brain. I start to think a bit too much (smiling).

When you get a bit tired, of course was tough match for him, for me. He change a little bit. He went a little bit back. I start to doubt about myself and about the choice I wanted to make. That's when I start to stop moving well, start to not go through the ball. That's what happen.

I was I think 40-Love. I shouldn't have lost that game. It's part of the tennis, unfortunately.

Q. Apart from the voice, you're fit?

STAN WAWRINKA: I'm trying (smiling).

Q. Belinda, can I ask you for a comment on your partner. What has surprised you the most, just the confidence that he's playing with, to believe he belongs on this stage?

BELINDA BENCIC: Well, I think it's much different than when I grew up watching him play. You see him on the TV, you see what that's about. Now it's amazing to see him in the backstage to see what he does.

STAN WAWRINKA: I think he was talking about Kubie (laughter).

BELINDA BENCIC: Yes, I grew up watching Kubie play. I saw him playing against my brother (laughter). Now it's amazing to see him, what he does behind the scenes (smiling).

No, I mean, obviously I'm not watching him play because I'm at the net, I'm in the back, he goes. It's just amazing to see him play and how brave he is. He's taking stuff, he's on hands.

Sorry, you both guys are amazing (smiling).

Q. Stan, I think this is one of the few times you've come to Sydney and I don't think you played in Perth before. Talk about what it's like to play in two new cities for you in your final year on tour.

STAN WAWRINKA: Yes, Perth was my first time. Was amazing to be there, to discover the city, the people. It's a different feeling, also a different energy. But we had a lot of fun. We enjoy.

Was a lot of people, there were a lot of fans. I was super happy. For Sydney, of course was a long time since I came back here. I play twice. I play the tournament. I also played Davis Cup on grass 2011.

Yeah, it's my last year, so I try to enjoy every place I go. Australia is always going to be special.