UNITED CUP

January 4, 2026

Alexander Zverev Sr.

Alexander Zverev

Laura Siegemund

Eva Lys

Team Germany

Press Conference

Germany - 3

The Netherlands - 0

THE MODERATOR: Congrats, Team Germany. Didn't drop a set today. How pleased are you today with the performance?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I will answer. We're very happy to start I think the 4th of January, the first match, winning every match in straight sets against I think a difficult team. Tallon for me is very difficult. The mixed doubles is very, very good. Happy to start the way we did.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV SR.: I am very happy with the start like today.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Why do I say it if you want to say it (laughter)?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV SR.: Eva do a very good match, beat 6-2, 6-2. Very good result. Sascha, what he say, it's not easy play against Griekspoor every time. Today was very solid. And mixed, yeah, with Laura we cannot loss. It was very good day today. Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Sascha, you've made quite a big effort to play mixed throughout all the iterations of this tournament. Casper didn't play yesterday when it was 1-All. Do you have any thoughts on how hard it is to back up after playing singles?

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Well, I don't know. I've always done it. For me it's normal. I think if you want team success, Laura always mentioned that she feels very comfortable with me on the court, so...

We have options with Kevin, of course, who is a great doubles player, as well. It's kind of a little bit Laura's decision, who she feels just more comfortable on court with.

But for me today, I mean, if it's going to be 1-All, I decide to play, I just need to play one mixed doubles beforehand. Going out there in an important match, a deciding match, something like that, is very difficult if you haven't played in a long time. That was the decision behind it.

I can't speak for Casper. I'm sure he had good reasons not to play. I don't know them. It's better to ask him that question.

Q. Eva, how would you describe your performance today? How important was it for you to get the win?

EVA LYS: I feel like it's a nice feeling for every player starting into the season. I think it's the best outcome I could have imagined. I had a solid 6-2, 6-2. Very happy with how I played.

It was really hot on the center court, but I think we both managed pretty well. Yeah, I think it's a perfect start for whole Team Germany, also with Sascha's match and the mixed doubles.

So we're all happy.

Q. Sascha, the difference in the two sets, what clicked in the second after that tight first set? Do you think it was a case of maybe he was a little bit demoralized after losing a close set or...

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: He maybe served a little bit worse. But I started returning. I don't think I made a return in the first five service games on his serve, to be honest. It was about getting into the rallies. I don't think we played one rally in the first 10 games.

I mean, I know him. I know how he plays. I know his tactics. Always very aggressive to not let me play a lot of balls. But then once I started returning better, started getting into the rallies a bit better, it obviously helped.

I feel like I did that much, much better in the second set.

Q. Looking ahead against Poland, Eva against Iga for you, it's been one-sided, sorry to say that. Sascha, with you coming up against Hubie. What happened a couple years ago, does that have any bearing when you meet Poland this time?

EVA LYS: I mean, new year, new me. I feel like in tennis everything's possible. I mean, I've been getting closer, that's one thing I'm holding onto. Yeah, definitely every match I play with her, I'm going to go out and I'm going to play my best tennis.

I mean, she has good days, she has worse days. I also have my good days. Especially after end of last year, I'm just trying to focus on my game and do something a little better that she didn't like last time.

ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think two years ago is more positive for us than for them, for sure. But a lot of things have changed in the last two years. He was struggling with injury, as well, over the last couple of years.

I know Hubie is a great player, for sure. We've had tough matches. We have tough battles. Again, it's his first match after an injury. We've already played today. Hopefully it will be maybe a little bit of an advantage for us.

Yeah, we'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Q. Laura, how would you describe how the team did overall today?

LAURA SIEGEMUND: Yeah, I think it cannot be much better than how it went. Eva had a super solid match. Maybe it was closer than the score, but she managed very well. Sascha, as well. What can you ask more than not losing a set?

I think also our mixed doubles, we wanted to go out there to get some feeling with each other. It's not easy when you, like, haven't played in a long time. That's a good doubles team. I think we made it look pretty solid, but they are really good players.

So yeah, there is not much more that you can ask for on the first day.