UNITED CUP

January 3, 2026

Tallon Griekspoor

Eva Vedder

Guy Den Ouden

Suzan Lamens

Demi Schuurs

David Pel

Team The Netherlands

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Team Netherlands, welcome to United Cup 2026. I would like to hear from the No. 1 player, who is also the Captain, how the preparation has been going.

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Yeah, thanks for having us in the first place. Very happy to start the year here in Sydney. Couple of us have been here two years ago.

I think the perfect way to start the year. Couple of matches, some good practices. Always nice to represent the country, to play for the team.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to that. Happy with my team. Happy with everyone who showed up, especially early in the morning now.

Yeah, first time is going to be very, very difficult for the whole team I think. It's not the easiest one to start the year. Well, personally for me. Doesn't need much explanation, who I'm playing and the amount of times we played each other.

Yeah, happy to get the first rematch in on the 4th of January. I have a lot of faith in my woman, who is going to take us the win in the tie. Hopefully we have a good mixed doubles behind it.

We're all looking forward to Sunday and to get the year going and to get back on the match court.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Tallon, throughout the year it's all about focusing on your own schedule and everything. What is it like being the captain/coach/player/everything?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Well, overall I still feel a player in this team. I don't feel like the Captain or the boss of this team (smiling). Just taking that role on me.

It's pretty easy so far, pretty easygoing. We know each other well for a longer time already. We have been on tour longer.

In the first place, looking forward myself to get back to the match court. It's been a while. It's been a couple of months off, which was also very nice. I wish there were even more time off.

We're back. Excited to be back. Excited to be leading the time. Like I said, looking forward to the ties, looking forward to seeing the whole team there.

It's my second time here in the United Cup. I enjoyed the whole team environment a lot two years ago. Yeah, looking forward to get going and to see that again.

Q. Suzan, what is he like as a Captain?

SUZAN LAMENS: I can't say, because I still want to play tomorrow (smiling). No...

I mean, he's really nice. I know him for a while now, and he has good energy. He's funny. We can talk about everything, but also he takes his role seriously. He keeps us up to date with all the information and takes us for dinner. Yeah, it's a nice captain.

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: She really wants to play (laughter).

Q. What does it mean that doubles is an integral part of this event, so many matches end up coming down to the mixed doubles in the end?

DEMI SCHUURS: It's a nice feeling. I mean, especially I'm playing Billie Jean King Cup, and it's not always decided double. For us, it's nice to hopefully play a decider double, or maybe better if we are 2-0 up before we play the mixed.

It's a very nice feeling to play a mixed. We don't do it that often. For me especially with two, three good guys next to me, and yeah, hopefully I can play some nice mixed doubles with those guys here.

Q. David?

DAVID PEL: Well, no, really looking forward to the mixed. Hopefully I can play. I'm not sure. I have to look at the boss. He's also really excited to play, so...

No, great to play a mixed. Mixed, like Demi said, we're not playing that often. Looking forward to play it, yeah. Excited.

Q. Tallon, this is your second United Cup. What are you going to do differently? What is your strategy, especially being the captain?

TALLON GRIEKSPOOR: Try to win a match. That didn't happen yet (smiling), two years ago. Two years ago was a new experience. Played some tough opponents. Lost to Casper and Borna, which were actually good matches. Yeah, not good enough at that point to win it.

I think I'm, yeah, different player now than I was two years ago. A bit more experience on the tour. On the other hand, well, two very good opponents on the other side of the net I will have this week. Zverev, someone I played a lot. No. 3 for a reason. Then Hubie, we also played a lot. A lot of close matches. He's been top 10 for a reason. He's been out for a bit longer now. I have no doubt he will be back very, very soon at the top of the game.

It's going to be two very challenging matches. I'm someone who I like a bit of rhythm. I like a lot of matches. That's why I think United Cup is pretty good to start the year. You have guaranteed two very, very good matches.

Yeah, I'm just trying to do better this time, trying to lead the team better this time than I did two years ago. I think most important, we are just trying to have fun as a team, trying to make it a fun week, a good week, get us all going for the start of the year.