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  • 2 days ago
Billie Jean King Cup 2025, Finals. Italy vs USA
Transcript
00:00Jessica, starting with you, both you and Emma came back from a set down today,
00:04which shows the fight and determination from this year that your team's got.
00:07Talk me through.
00:08Yeah, obviously, you know, Emma winning that first match was huge
00:12because it puts me in a great position for us to finish it.
00:15So I took a lot of motivation from watching her come back today
00:19and, yeah, tried to emulate the same thing when I was down,
00:23especially after that first set, but super happy, you know, that we're through.
00:27And I feel like almost in a way it's nice to get through tough matches like that
00:30under a lot of pressure, I think.
00:32And, you know, hopefully we can use that a little bit tomorrow.
00:34Yeah, and you can see the team are, like, getting you guys through this.
00:37So describe what that's like out there.
00:39Yeah, I mean, there's a lot going on, you know.
00:42There's a lot of British, that cheering section, man, they, I don't know,
00:46they did not stop for four hours.
00:48It was crazy.
00:50But, yeah, there is, you know, a lot of emotions, a lot of energy.
00:53You're nervous, you're excited, you want to do well.
00:55You're maybe not playing well.
00:57So you've got to, you know, figure out how to balance all those emotions
01:00and try and go out there and get the win.
01:01And luckily we were able to do that today.
01:04And, Lindsay, what was your assessment of a tie overall?
01:06Yeah, such a tough night for our team.
01:09Both ladies did such a great job of coming back after losing the first set.
01:13Emma really dug deep down a set and a break and just figured out a way to win
01:17despite maybe not playing her best tennis.
01:20She didn't give up, but she stayed really calm.
01:22We were really proud of her and her ability to be able to turn that match.
01:27And then just the same thing.
01:28Volter came out playing so well and so strong and just really hung tough.
01:32She's the leader of our team.
01:33She's our captain.
01:35And she didn't go away.
01:36She knew it was important for her.
01:37You're the captain.
01:38Well, you're the team captain.
01:40Come on.
01:40It was important for her to kind of seal the victory.
01:43And she really dug in and was able to play her best tennis at the end,
01:47which she gave herself a chance to be able to do that.
01:51So, you know, myself and the entire coaching staff were thrilled with the two ladies
01:55and excited for the final.
01:56Yeah, but from your side, what do you think helps the girls get through that
02:00and come back in that way?
02:01Both of these two have such great fight.
02:04They're amazing when representing their country.
02:06They've been fantastic with the team all week.
02:09We've had a wonderful time here this whole week.
02:12I've really loved it.
02:13The team's been great.
02:15These ladies have really bought into the team culture and the team aspect
02:19and have fought so hard in every match.
02:21We've had fun in practices.
02:22We've had fun at dinners.
02:23It's really been a great week.
02:24And we've got one more day left.
02:26And you're clearly very popular over here in China.
02:29Is that something you're expecting?
02:30And what's it like to play in front of the crowd?
02:31I don't know.
02:32It's been really nice.
02:33I mean, I felt like I had a lot of fans last year,
02:36but I feel like this year maybe even more.
02:39But it's fun.
02:39It's fun interacting with fans that are all the way across the other side of the world
02:44where I'm from.
02:45So it's been a really fun experience.
02:48They're so creative.
02:49They're so thoughtful with their gifts and all the stuff they always give me.
02:53So it's been really fun being able to embrace that, especially here.
02:56Yeah.
02:57And you haven't been in the finals since 2018.
02:59Is this the team that can go all the way?
03:01Of course.
03:01We'll find out.
03:02We hope so.
03:03We hope so.
03:04That's why they're here.
03:05Yeah, that's why we're all here trying.
03:08What do you think, Lindsay?
03:08I mean, in terms of, like, you've seen other teams compete.
03:12You've been here before.
03:13How are you feeling this time?
03:14Well, these five women are here for a reason
03:16because we feel like they are our best chance to win this title.
03:22Obviously, Italy's going to be tough.
03:23They've got great players.
03:25They've got a great doubles team, which is always so important.
03:28So we're going to look to see what our best matchups are.
03:32We're going to go out there and give it our best.
03:34That's what we've said the whole week.
03:35You know, we're going to leave it all on the court.
03:37We're going to try our hardest and see where it ends up.
03:39But I have a lot of faith in these women.
03:42One for you, Jessica, first.
03:44What does Billie Jean's spirit mean to Team USA?
03:47And how do you feel when she's on the side of the court?
03:49Billie's always very invested into the matches.
03:52She's, you know, trying to, like, keep herself calm over there.
03:56But, yeah, it's awesome that she's here and representing.
04:00And, I mean, we wouldn't, you know, be here without her.
04:02So she's always a huge inspiration.
04:05And, yeah, I haven't seen her yet.
04:09Actually, I haven't really talked to her that much here.
04:10But, yeah, she definitely always has a lot of advice and motivation whenever I see her.
04:16Do you think the team are feeling her presence, though, and, like, playing for her as much as each other?
04:19Yeah, I mean, you know, she comes, she says hi.
04:22We know how much she supports us.
04:23We see her.
04:24We just saw her a lot at the U.S. Open as well.
04:26And I feel like, you know, what she's been able to do for our sport is always a huge motivation.
04:32So when we can see her and, you know, she sends us a text or messages us and wants us to keep going and is supporting us, it's a huge inspiration.
04:39And anything you want to add, Lindsay, with Billie Jean here watching you?
04:42Oh, it's been awesome to have her around, to see her in the stands.
04:46We've exchanged glances a few times.
04:48But, honestly, she's been such a pioneer in our sport.
04:52We're privileged to have her still be here at 80-something years of age, still has the same amount of energy as ever.
04:59Definitely.
04:59So, yeah, hopefully we can lift the trophy in front of her.
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