UNITED CUP

January 2, 2026

Wu Di

Zhang Zhizhen

Zhu Lin

Te Rigele

Wang Aoran

You Xiaodi

Team China

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We would like to ask the captain something about the first tie tomorrow against Belgium, how you see the matches for the first tie of this year.

WU DI: Hello, everyone. I'm captain Wu Di.

Yes, we first time for being here. We already play three times. Last two years we are playing so good. Also we are staying Sydney. We have good rooms, good hotel, nice court. We feel like in the home. I hope so tomorrow we going to play good. Also we are really enjoying here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. In terms of deciding to play, did the two of you have any discussions before signing up about who would be playing? I know China has five women in the top 50 in women's doubles. Is that why you decided to play mixed doubles together?

WU DI: Good question (laughter).

Yeah, because they are very close friend. Also we know each other very well. Also Triple Z play already many times in United Cup. Also first time being here Zhu Lin.

We really hope so that going to play good mix and also good singles like kind of.

Q. Wu Di, you were a player for a long time.

WU DI: Only two, three years retire.

Q. What is tougher or easier for you, being on the court playing or being captain of this team?

WU DI: I mean, of course being players are more enjoy. We have to take care of them. Also, when you are playing, you are only focus in the court. Right now I'm the captain, I'm the coach, I have to think about everything. We have to decide to make the schedule, find a good way to they feel good.

For me it's more easy be the player. But also I'm enjoy be the captain here (smiling).

Q. Who is the easiest in the team to deal with? Who is the messiest or the toughest?

WU DI: I get in trouble. You answer (laughter).

ZIZOU BERGS: No, I'm toughest one, so I won't answer (laughter).

WU DI: Everybody is nice. We also have good friend. When I'm playing, sometime we play each other. They beat me. This way I retire, yeah.

Q. You both entered on this protected ranking. Here it doesn't count towards your usage of protected rankings. Is that something you considered when you were entering or you just wanted to play in this tournament?

ZHU LIN: For WTA, it does count. Just for ATP, yeah, so.

ZHANG ZHIZHEN: The answer is there already.

Basically, yeah, I was deciding to play Hong Kong before I really didn't even planning to play United Cup again because I was dropped the ranking. Then Bu is around 70. I thought it's time to play United Cup.

In the end, Hong Kong, some situation with the problem. In the end also here officially they was something me, Z, you want to use protect ranking?

I said, Protected ranking, I thought we couldn't get in.

They said, Yes, if you protected ranking, going to be the last couple.

Then I say, Why not? Okay, let's try.

Also say they don't count for one, which is very good for me. I still can have a using nine more tournaments to play. So why not?

Q. How nice is it to be in this event, playing with Triple Z? What has that been like so far and what are you looking forward to the most?

ZHU LIN: I mean, it was my first United Cup experience. It's been going well so far. I really enjoyed my time here in Sydney with my teammate. You don't always get chance to represent your country, especially like group. I just really appreciate this opportunity.

I'm looking forward to play with Triple Z some mixed doubles. Hopefully we can play some good tennis in front of the Aussie crowd and also some Chinese fans back home. We would like to show some good tennis to the young generations in China. Yeah, let's hope for a good week.

Q. What has your experience been like away from the court here in Sydney?

ZHU LIN: Yeah, it's my second time in Sydney. First time was long, long time ago. Yeah, I really liked the harbor in Sydney. We didn't get the chance to see the fireworks unfortunately. We went the other night at the Opera House. We took some pictures at the night. It was super, like, pretty.

We hope we get to see a lot more in the next few days. But let's focus on the match first.

Q. You enjoyed the zoo?

ZHU LIN: Yes.

ZHANG ZHIZHEN: Yes. Only problem is we couldn't find more time to staying there because we have a practice after right away.

But it was really nice. The koala here, there was more, how say? Two weeks ago, maybe three, in Guangzhou, we was there in kind of a zoo over there. We also see the koala everything. They were smaller little bit. There was like smaller. Here feel like mom and dad. There is little kid.