BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 21, 2026

Anne Keothavong

Katie Boulter

Harriet Dart

Mika Stojsavljevic

Jodie Burrage

Sonay Kartal

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference for Team Great Britain.

Anne, what are your thoughts looking ahead towards tomorrow's tie against Czechia?

CAPTAIN KEOTHAVONG: Prep has been going as well as it could be. We arrived here on Thursday evening. I'm losing track of days (smiling). We've had a few days to get over the jet lag, get used to the conditions, court speed and everything.

Once again, it's great to be back here in Shenzhen for another time, through to another Finals.

We're all excited about the tie ahead against the Czechs tomorrow. Yeah, it goes without saying we know it's going to be a tough one. Quite frankly, if you make the Finals, every match you play is going to be a tough one.

Yeah, no simple matches here for anyone.

THE MODERATOR: Katie, you've always spoken and shown how much playing for your country means for you. You're back here in the team for the Finals again. Thoughts from you on how things are going and looking ahead to tomorrow?

KATIE BOULTER: Yeah, for me it's always a privilege to be a part of this team. I think it was a tremendous effort from all the girls that are sat here now at the start of the year. Obviously I'm very well involved in Billie Jean King Cup. I'm always watching. I like to watch and see how everyone is doing. I supported them from afar on that one.

To be back in the team, it means so much to me. These are the weeks I live for. I play my heart out in these ones. So that's my plan here.

Yeah, we are up against it, but I'm very, very excited for this tie.

THE MODERATOR: Jodie and Harriet, you played pivotal roles in the win in Australia. How do you reflect on that great win away and what do you take from that heading into this week?

JODIE BURRAGE: Yeah, it was an incredible win in Oz. It was a week where we were, again, underdogs. I think a few of us or a few people wouldn't have backed us to win that.

Yeah, it was an incredible, incredible win from everyone on the team. Started with Mika and Harriet in the singles, then we went out there in the dubs. It was incredible. It was a great way for me personally to come back to the sport.

Yeah, hoping to take those vibes from Australia and carry them on here.

HARRIET DART: Yeah, I mean, I think what we were able to do in Australia just shows how consistent we've been over the years in this competition. I think when you look back at some of our results, a lot of the times we have been underdogs. It's best not to underestimate us as a team (smiling).

I think as a team, we've performed really well over the years. I think even though the matchup on paper here is pretty rough for us, at the same time I know how well this team can play. We have strong belief within ourselves and within our own team that we can do well in this competition.

THE MODERATOR: Mika, an amazing debut for you in Australia. How do you reflect on that? How does it feel to be back in the team again?

MIKA STOJSAVLJEVIC: Yeah, it's very exciting. We had a great time in Australia, all of us. It's awesome to be back. I'm so grateful that Anne chose me again for this tie, for the Finals. Yeah, great to be in China.

This team is really fun. We're having a good time. We'll try our best and see what we can do.

THE MODERATOR: Sonay, you're back after some time with injury. Second time here in Shenzhen with the team. How does it feel to be back on court with the team?

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, it was a very tough six months, for sure. First long injury out. Yeah, there is no better way that I would want to make my return to this event. I watched the tie in Australia. Was gutted to have to miss that one.

Yeah, I love these girls. We have a lot of fun. I think, yeah, like I said, there is no better place for me to make my return to tennis.

THE MODERATOR: Questions from the floor.

Q. Anne, you have alluded to how tough tomorrow's tie is going to be. I just wonder whether maybe that takes some pressure off for this tie or whether it's the same as before?

CAPTAIN KEOTHAVONG: Well, given this event is named after Billie Jean, I think pressure is a privilege, isn't it?

I think whoever you're drawn against in this competition, particularly when you've made it through to the Finals, there are no easy matches. We've seen over the years how people are able to rise to the occasion when they represent their nation. I've seen it from the players here beside me. Anything is possible.

But, yeah, respect is given to the opposition. We're up against a team who have a Wimbledon champion and Wimbledon finalist. You name it, there's not a lot that those players haven't achieved.

But I believe in my team. I believe they're able to rise to the challenge. They're motivated. They're up for it, as always. There is a collective goal here. That hasn't changed over the years.

This is a competition for us as a nation that means a lot. It's the only team event in women's tennis. Our ambition is still to win this competition one day. To do that we know we have to beat the best.

Yeah, tomorrow's match is no different.

Q. Katie, as a team you've reached semifinals I think three times in the last four years. What is about this team that has given you so much success in recent years?

KATIE BOULTER: I think just our fighting spirit. I think each and every one of us has the power to get the British out of us. I think we all want to play well for our country. I think we're all playing for each other. It makes it bigger than just ourselves. I think we've grown up that way. We've been so consistent over the years.

I've always put my foot forward for my country. I think it's one of the biggest privileges. I think everyone here has done, as well. Everyone pulls their weight.

Yeah, for me it's admirable. I try to match what the girls bring. I think we all kind of rise together.

Q. Question for Sonay or Katie. I just want to know compared to last year how different, if it's different, you felt the center court and the difference between the center court and the practice courts in the shopping mall?

CAPTAIN KEOTHAVONG: Where are the shops (smiling)?

HARRIET DART: They're in the mall (laughter).

SONAY KARTAL: No, last year I think for me they feel very similar. Personally I really like the conditions of this tournament. I think the courts are a little slower. I think, yeah, personally I love that.

Yeah, it's exactly the same I think to last year for me. I don't think there's much difference that we've got to worry about.

Q. I want to know what is the one thing that you hope people in Shenzhen or in China will remember about your team? Since arriving in Shenzhen, what is the specific moment, detail or person of this city that has impressed you the most or given you a new understanding about China?

MIKA STOJSAVLJEVIC: I hope they remember us for our energy and our team spirit. As I said earlier, this is a really fun group of girls. I think we all click very well. I hope they remember us collectively as a team, yeah, the level that we can bring on the court.

I think so far, we came on a ferry actually from Hong Kong to Shenzhen. I think just seeing the skyline was the most impressive part for me so far.

I really like boats, so it was fun (laughter).

CAPTAIN KEOTHAVONG: The girls are quite big on coffee. They've been to a number of different coffee shops. What is the one?

JODIE BURRAGE: Manner. Kudo was good. Manner is where we've been going.

KATIE BOULTER: We want to go to Vortex. 0556 near the courts.

CAPTAIN KEOTHAVONG: If any of the coffee shops want to sponsor this team, we've been spending a lot of money there (smiling).

To be honest, we haven't had a chance to see much of Shenzhen. But the skyline and the views I think are what stood out when we've had a chance to look out of our hotel rooms and walk around.

But yeah, look, everyone's made this team feel very welcome. Lots of friendly people. Obviously lots of fans who have been hovering around. Hopefully they'll all come out and cheer for Great Britain.

Q. This is the symbolic place of Shenzhen.

KATIE BOULTER: Any recommendations for us?

Q. Just around here, the city and the park. When the world see China and the China see Shenzhen, they will see here.

KATIE BOULTER: Nice.

Q. My question for the captain and the players is, have you tried the Chinese food and what do you think about it?

CAPTAIN KEOTHAVONG: I'm sorry to disappoint in answering that question, but no, we haven't actually tried any traditional Chinese food.

Again, if you have any recommendations, please do share.

The players have been working hard, so a lot of their meals have been here and at the hotel. There hasn't been as much time to get out and about.

Like I said, we're here to do well. The longer we can stay, hopefully we'll have time to check out some of the places.