THE MODERATOR: Hello, everyone. We are ready for the press conference with Team Italy. We will start with English questions. Please raise your hand for questions in English.
Q. Tathiana, after coming so close to winning this last year, how excited are you to be back and motivated to go one step further?
CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: Yeah, we are very proud to be here again in this special event that we love so much. Last year was a tough final, but we have all the time a great time when we stay together.
We enjoy very much this competition, because it's part of the higher place where you can stay as a team. So I'm very proud to have my team all here in great form and ready to jump in for this competition.
Q. My question is to Jasmine and Sara. How do you feel after WTA Finals? You came to Malaga now. How do you feel?
JASMINE PAOLINI: We feel well. I mean, was tough to lose two matches like that in the group, but we are here, we are back, we try to be focused. If we have the chance to play, we hope that we are going to do a great match.
SARA ERRANI: Yeah, the same. I mean, we are very happy to be here. It's so good event. We will try to do our best (smiling).
Q. Sara, what's it like to be part of this team again? I think it's your first tie in five years maybe?
SARA ERRANI: Yes, I think last one was in 2019. Of course I'm really proud to be here again. I mean, it's always special for me to wear the national shirt, so I'm really proud and happy to be part of this team. Yes, of course.
Q. Tathiana, I was just wondering, what's it been like as captain of this team to see Jasmine's year that she's had? Such an incredible rise and kind of what's it been like for you to watch that and observe it?
CAPTAIN TATHIANA GARBIN: Yeah, I'm talking about all my players. I think all they have a great journey. They have resilience, they have courage, and I'm so proud of all of them.
I know them since they are very young. I know how difficult it was, the career they have, but I'm incredibly proud and happy that they, all of time, try to figure out how to solve the problem and try to be not just a great tennis player but a great person. That's the important thing. So mostly I'm proud of what the person they become, not just as a player.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports