BILLIE JEAN KING CUP

September 17, 2025

Anne Keothavong

Katie Boulter

Francesca Jones

Sonay Kartal

Jodie Burrage

Team Great Britain

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to your team press conference, Team Great Britain. Can the captain share your thoughts on the week.

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Yeah, look, we've been here for a number of days now. Everything has been great in terms of preparation. Courts are playing well. Players are happy. Yeah, we're just ready to get going tomorrow.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Anne, you had a late change to your team with Emma's withdrawal. I wonder your reaction to that and your decision to bring in Fran.

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Yeah, obviously just disappointing not to have your top player here. But look, as I've said before, we're here and we're ready to go tomorrow. The players I've got here are well-prepared and excited about the challenge of taking on Japan tomorrow.

This is a competition that means a lot to all of us and one that we really want to do well together as a team. Look, I'm feeling confident as captain with the players I have here. Yeah, just really excited to get going.

Q. Fran, I know you landed a little bit late because you've been doing so well in recent weeks. Talk to me about the confidence that's given you and how good it is to be here with the team.

FRANCESCA JONES: Yeah, as everyone can tell, I'm the loud one in the group, so... Just want to bring that up (laughter).

No, obviously I've had a good season so far. I've built a lot of momentum. I was grateful to have the opportunity to continue that in Sao Paulo, but still managed to come here.

Obviously for me, I'm very patriotic, proper northerner that loves my country. I'm very happy to be here and join the girls and join my team and enjoy my experiences as previously.

Just, ready to rock'n roll really.

Q. Katie, we saw last season how much fight there is in this team and how much belief. I think belief was something you all talked about a lot. How much of those learnings from last season are you going to bring into this week?

KATIE BOULTER: I feel like each and every one of us all has the heart and all has a lot of fight for our country. I think that just comes naturally, too. I think we showed it at the start of the year.

Sonay making her debut, which was pretty incredible, just stepping up for her country multiple times. It's not easy to do. It looked very easy for her. I can assure you it's not. Obviously Jodie and I getting our first win together for her country.

Yeah, really pleased to have everyone here. Of course Fran joining the team as well, really enjoying her company so far (smiling). I'm sure we're going to bring a lot of fight in the next couple of ties, yeah.

Q. Anne, how do you approach a tournament like this? Are you looking solely at your next opponent or are you taking a longer-term view of the path you might take?

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Look, I think right now, yeah, focus is purely on tomorrow's match against Japan. But our ambition - it's been no secret for all of us sitting here, the entire team - is to win this competition. We're going to throw everything we've got at it.

We've come close in the last few years. I think, if anything, that's spurred us on and motivated us to do even better in this competition because it is something that's important to all of us here. We take a huge amount of pride. We put a huge amount of effort into this.

Yeah, we're here to do the best we can.

Q. Sonay, how are you feeling, your frame of mind? You've had a whirlwind season so far.

SONAY KARTAL: Yeah, I didn't expect to be in this position when I started the year. It was probably my end-of-year goal. So yeah, obviously it's been pretty much a year of new experiences for me, new calendar, playing new opponents, better opponents.

But I wanted to start the year and put myself in uncomfortable positions to get used to it. I think, yeah, I finally feel like I'm starting to kind of find my feet. I'm feeling really happy on the court, really happy with my game, and happy with what I've achieved so far.

Yeah, looking forward to the rest of the season. Like the girls said, we've been here for a few days now so we kind of just want to get going.

Q. Jodie, Katie mentioned that win earlier in the year. We know how important doubles can be in this competition. How much confidence did that give you to get that win under your belt and also to do it together?

JODIE BURRAGE: Yeah, obviously lovely to do it with her, obviously the friends that we are (smiling).

But, yeah, we said before that we wanted to focus on the doubles, as well, because in ties like this, I mean, most of the tight moments are going to come down to that doubles. Yeah, taking it very seriously this week.

The match we played last time just showed how well we can play together. Yeah, and I believe that it's not going to get there because these two are going to get it done in singles. But if it does, then we're ready.

Yeah, I've got total belief in the work that we've done, all of us. And having Louis as well here has been great. Yeah, we're ready.

Q. A big part of this week is about being a team and having that team bonding. What do you guys get up to on weeks like this to bond?

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Go on, Fran (laughter).

FRANCESCA JONES: As you can tell, just take the mick out of everyone.

Yeah, no, obviously British banter is very unique. I definitely make sure that's happening all the time. But we've got good camaraderie around us. Very chilled people, to be honest. We take everything as it comes.

Yeah, obviously, like, everyone is so happy to be in my company, in such a good mood all the time really (smiling).

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Did you say we're all chilled people?

FRANCESCA JONES: Apart from me, I'm the exception (laughter).

Q. Anne, a word on your opponents. Can you talk about what you're expecting from those matchups, yeah, how you see the tie playing out.

CAPTAIN ANNE KEOTHAVONG: Yeah, there's no one here who should be underestimated. I don't doubt that the Japanese will be very well-prepared to take us on. This competition always brings a lot of surprises on everyone. You've just got to be ready for it.

I don't think you can ever underestimate the pressure players put on themselves, the nerves, excitement that they feel once they're out there on the court.

It is different to competing year-round when you're representing your nation, especially once you get to this stage of the competition. You're in the Finals. There's a lot to play for.

Look, we expect everyone to rise to the challenge, but we're ready for it and we'll be doing the same.