BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 27, 2026

Illya Marchenko

Elina Svitolina

Anhelina Kalinina

Press Conference

Team Czechia - 2

Team Ukraine - 0

THE MODERATOR: Ilya, can you talk about this week for Ukraine. Didn't quite happen today, but what a week it's been.

CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: Well, we are pretty happy with the week. It was one step forward compared to last year. Yeah, we won two good ties. I'm really, really proud of my team.

Yeah, of course we wanted to go all the way. Yeah, Czech was too strong today. Still I think we have more positive emotions about this week.

THE MODERATOR: Anhelina, can you take us through your match, playing against Muchova, top-10 player, Wimbledon runner-up this year, what is the challenge like of facing her?

ANHELINA KALININA: Yeah, today was another top player, but a great experience for me to play against such an opponent.

I also understand how much I have to improve, how much I have to be better to be able to compete with these kind of players. I mean, it's top level.

Hopefully I'm going to improve and do better.

THE MODERATOR: Elina, playing another amazing player in Noskova, so close in the second set, so close to getting back into the tie. Can you take us through that match.

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, I had my chances I feel like in the both sets, to be fair, in the first set, especially when I broke her, but then she played really well. Of course, was high intensity and high-risk tennis.

Yeah, was not an easy day for us, but I'm really proud of the team, all the effort that we've done this year. Went one step closer to be the champions here, but not this year.

We are really motivated for next year to come and do better.

Q. Captain Marchenko, during the whole week I saw your face always on the bench surprised by how well your players play. Can you say something about the players as tennis player but as human being, as persons.

CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: Could you repeat the beginning?

Q. When they play very well, your face, you can read you're very happy about how they play.

CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: Well, yeah, I mean, the level was really, really high. Yeah, I mean, Czech players, I don't know. It was really intense. As Elina said, it was high-risk tennis.

Muchova played really variable shots. Everything you would expect. As a player, I was hating such players to play against because they can slice, they can come in, they can drop shot, they can spin. Always no rhythm, you don't know what to expect. Linda was just hitting everything full power. Serving unbelievable.

Yeah, I mean, the quality of the matches was really high.

Of course, yeah, Elina and Anhelina this week, I'm really proud of the girls. I'm really proud of my team. I'm really proud of how they managed this week, how they played, how they gave it all every match for the team, for Ukraine.

Yeah, I'm really happy to be part of this team. I'm really happy when they are doing amazing rallies, amazing shots.

Q. How do you feel competing in Shenzhen? How do you like Shenzhen?

ELINA SVITOLINA: Yeah, I played here couple of times. I really enjoy the city, to be fair. I really like the vibe of the city. Normally I like to walk around, discover new places. Really enjoy also the scenery over here.

I've been here long time ago for the Finals for the first time. I remember playing here. Actually it's my second time taking the second place, as well (smiling). Yeah, hopefully one day in Shenzhen I can become a champion, to be fair.

ANHELINA KALININA: My first time in Shenzhen. Very beautiful city. Enjoying being here. Enjoying this week with a lot of great tennis, incredible facility. So it's been a pleasure.

CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: I mean, yeah, I'm happy being here as a player, as a coach, as a captain. Different parts of Shenzhen as well. Yeah, I really like to come back here. I really like China. I love bubble tea (smiling). I'm really happy to come back here every year.

Q. It's bittersweet for the week. What does this week mean for you and how proud are you of your team personally for reaching the first final for Ukraine?

CAPTAIN MARCHENKO: Well, of course, as I said, it's one step forward. Yeah, I think I have a feeling that our team become stronger and stronger every year. Last year was historic achievement for us to make the semifinals. This year it was kind of normal. Now it's another historic achievement, we played final.

We look to the future with a lot of optimism. I think it's a great team. We have great atmosphere. I think girls are looking forward to the week of Billie Jean King Cup. I think we managed to create space for girls so everyone feel comfortable. Really enjoying themselves playing for Ukraine.

Of course, for Ukraine it's very important. Right now we see a lot of struggles in our home country with attacks, with drones, with rockets and everything. These moments of enjoy are very important for Ukrainian spectators. We are really happy that we could bring some joy into Ukraine this week.