BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 22, 2026

Marie Bouzkova

Team Czechia

Press Conference

M. BOUZKOVA/S. Kartal

7-6, 4-6, 6-4

Team Czechia - 1

Team Great Britain - 0

THE MODERATOR: Congrats, Marie.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Thoughts about giving the first point to Team Czechia.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, I mean, I'm super happy. It was really important, obviously really important point. Yeah, I'm just proud.

More than anything, so happy to be part of this team. They pushed me forward. It was a team effort. Super happy we pulled this one through all together. I know now it's Linda's turn.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Marie, just wondering, obviously your team has so many players who could play singles, when did you find out you were playing today and what your preparations were like ahead of the match.

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, we kind of discussed it earlier today. Yeah, just happy I could play. Obviously whatever the team decides, I'm here for the team for whatever needs to be done on my side. Just really honored that I could play today.

Yeah, that's what this competition is about, making all decisions as a team and finding our way through as team.

Q. Kartal is coming back from injury. She pushed you really hard. She is almost a hundred places lower than you in the rankings. What did you make of her game today?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: I think she played incredible. I think not playing for half a year and coming out the way she did, yeah, huge respect for her. The last time she played, she played really well. It seems like she kept the momentum going even with a half-year break. Yeah, respect for her that she could come out in this competition.

Everything is more special and the stakes are as high as they get. Yeah, it was a big battle. I think she played well. Hopefully she can stay healthy.

Q. You are the first player to play on the first day. Did that cause any extra pressure for you? During the match, I noticed the points were always close. You were missing some shots. How did you find your way back?

MARIE BOUZKOVA: Yeah, I think I try think about it that this week I'm not there just by myself, I have the team behind me. It's not just about this point. Obviously, Linda is playing. We all have faith in Linda, as well.

I kind of didn't have that much pressure on myself. Obviously I wanted to give my heart there and leave everything out there for the team. I think that's what got me the win today in the end because especially in the third set, they were all supporting me every single point. I could have the eye contact there. I really felt their support behind me.

That's what makes this week so special. It's not just me. Obviously, it is just me on the court, but I know I have them right by my side.

Yeah, just happy that we could pull this one off as a team.