E. NAVARRO/Y. Putintseva
7-5, 2-6, 7-6
Team USA - 1
Team Kazakhstan - 0
THE MODERATOR: Congrats, Emma. What was the key to this win today?
EMMA NAVARRO: I don't know about a key, but maybe just a lot of grittiness and a lot of resilience and the pride of playing with my country's flag on my shirt, knowing the support I had from the sidelines, looking over and seeing my teammates cheering me on. There's a different type of energy when you can look over and see that.
Yeah, I think a little bit of Team USA, a bit of team pride, and a lot of grittiness today.
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. She led in all three sets, then had match points. What were you telling yourself in those moments when you were down? How did you recover?
EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, I think for about a set and a half or so, I really lost my way, kind of felt like I didn't have a clear purpose and intention. I think it's definitely essential to have those things to be able to play my best.
It got to be 2-0 in the third set. I kind of just told myself focus on my footwork. Probably the most basic thing in tennis is your footwork. Sometimes those elementary things are what get you through the tougher moments. Kind of just did that and took it from there.
Yeah, it was really tough today. Just took a lot of toughness.
Q. A few people on the bench, when you had match points, were saying, Trust yourself. You clearly had to trust yourself a lot in that match, the process. Talk about that mindset, as well.
EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, I think tennis is a brutal sport and it will play tricks on your mind. It can get you in really tough places mentally. As generic as I guess 'trust' sounds, it's a huge part of the game.
At whatever, 6-All, 7-6, after you've been out on the court for two and a half hours, you've gained a lot of information about yourself, about your opponent, maybe you feel a certain way about a shot or two. In that moment you kind of just have to sometimes ignore the facts a little bit and just trust yourself, trust that it will work out in your favor. Sometimes it does, and sometimes it doesn't. That's sport, I guess.
Q. This was only your second time playing in the Billie Jean King Cup for Team USA. What were the nerves like when you were coming out on the court? How different is the feeling when you're playing in this environment?
EMMA NAVARRO: Yeah, it's definitely different. I think it's one thing to be able to play for yourself, your immediate team. But to be able to play for your country, it's the highest of honors.
It definitely creates more nerves than normal, and different nerves I guess, too. It's a different atmosphere, as well. It's a bit more rowdy. She had a little choir up there singing for her. I had people cheering for me. It's definitely different. You have to be adaptable, I guess.
Yeah, it's incredible to be here and be playing, yeah, for the U.S.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports