BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 22, 2026

Tathiana Garbin

Sara Errani

Jasmine Paolini

Elisabetta Cocciaretto

Lucia Bronzetti

Tyra Grant

Team Italy

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Thank you for joining the press conference with Team Italy.

A question for the captain. Tathiana, as defending champions, what do you think is going to be the biggest challenge this year to repeat?

CAPTAIN GARBIN: Well, the big challenge is to not think to defending title. You have to be here to not confirm anything, but to think about our team, to growing every time, and to try to give of our best every time we get on court. That's the biggest challenge.

Obviously we have a great opponent that we respect a lot. But I believe that my player are going to have fun in this competition. They'll always enjoy.

THE MODERATOR: Jasmine, last year was the first time you played in China. You have great support from the Chinese fans. Anything that stayed in your mind from last year?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes, definitely my nickname (smiling). The last season here in China, had a really great result from winning the Billie Jean King, but also the tournaments after this competition were really good for me.

Looking forward to play matches here. Hopefully it's going to be a long season here in China. Yeah, really, really enjoy to be here. Yeah, I'm looking forward to play.

THE MODERATOR: We'll take questions from the floor. Who would like to start?

Q. Tathiana, obviously you've been champions the last two years, finalists before that. What would three titles in a row mean for not only this team but for Italian tennis as a whole?

CAPTAIN GARBIN: Yeah, I don't think we have to think about title. We have to think every time - as my players teach me - every single point, every game, every set. We are thinking about the present. The challenge we have against China is our final, so we try to have this impact, this mentality.

I think the main things is to think about every single point and to stay in the present moment.

Q. Jasmine, obviously you played against China here last year. The team that China have this year are slightly different. Your thoughts about playing against Zheng on Thursday potentially?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think last year was a tough one. This year it's going to be a tough one, as well. Qinwen, she played amazing in the US Open. We expect really high level of tennis from her. I think also the support from the Chinese fans will be great for them. Hopefully we are going to have some fans, as well (smiling).

But yeah, she's a great player. Very powerful. She can play really well on every surface. It's going to be a tough match. Hopefully I can play a really good level of tennis. Hopefully I can play a great match and can be a great battle.

Q. Elisabetta, you obviously played I think three singles matches here last year. Had some great wins. How different is it playing for your country compared to playing for yourself on the tour?

ELISABETTA COCCIARETTO: Of course is completely different. When we are in a team playing for our country, we just not play for ourself, but also for our country, also for our captain, teammates, all the staff around us. It's something extra effort that we put on court.

I think we have a very good team, a very good energy, a very good staff. I think it was the key the last years for everybody inside and outside the court.

Q. Jasmine, I saw the picture that you have some conversation at party with Qinwen. Maybe you exchanged a gift, right?

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes.

Q. Tell us what she tell you at the party.

JASMINE PAOLINI: She was asking about our gift. I tell her it was a bag. She told me, Okay, I need it (smiling).

Yeah, was a great moment to share with the Chinese team in general, but also with the other teams. I think it's very good competition also to share some moments with our team, but also with the others.

The ceremony is a bit different from the other tournaments. Yeah, was a great evening last night. Just that (smiling).

Q. My question for Jasmine is, last year in China swing, you have a lot of fans. Especially you have a very cute nickname, Baozong. What do you think about it?

JASMINE PAOLINI: I think it's great.

Q. You even wear the security jacket.

JASMINE PAOLINI: Yes. I forgot to bring that this year. Hopefully in Beijing they are going to give me another one to step on court with (laughter).

Yeah, last year I really have great memories from the China swing. I think I played a great level of tennis. The fans were great. My nickname, I really like a lot. Yeah, hopefully this year I can feel that again.

I have to say the first day here in Shenzhen they really called me many times Baozong. I think they are going to also call me in Beijing hopefully (smiling).

Q. I remember last year you said in Chinese, Go, go Italy. Would you say, Go, go Shenzhen this time in Chinese?

JASMINE PAOLINI: (Speaking in Chinese.)