THE MODERATOR: Welcome to Team France's press conference. Captain, talk to us about the team atmosphere and how great it is to be at United Cup representing France.
CAPTAIN FABRICE MARTIN: No, it's good. We are all happy to be here. We had a good Christmas dinner, so that was the first time we really had a group time together. It was good fun.
Yeah, it's the first tournament we play after the preseason, so everybody is excited to play. We are looking forward to this event.
THE MODERATOR: Chloe, how much are you looking forward to getting some good, tough matches here against some quality opponents ahead of the Australian Open?
CHLOE PAQUET: Really happy to be here. First time for me to play the United Cup and first time in Sydney. Of course it really tough match against Belinda and Jasmine, but really happy to play against them and try my best.
THE MODERATOR: Ugo, you're also leading the team on the men's side. How important is it for you to get some really good matches ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year?
UGO HUMBERT: Yeah, I really like to represent my country. The competition, I really like to play. I really like the format too. Have two good matches to start the season, and super happy to be with my teammates, yeah.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Edouard, you came very close last year to winning the tournament. Now you've got a new team. How are you feeling coming into this year and for this tournament?
EDOUARD ROGER-VASSELIN: Yeah, last year we made the semifinal. It was really good for the team. We were not that close because we lost I think 3-0 against Poland, but really, really good week last year. Hopefully, yeah, new team this year, but yeah, we are happy to be here and trying our best to at least qualify for next round.
Q. You've got a few very difficult mixed doubles pairs in your group. How are you two preparing for that match?
EDOUARD ROGER-VASSELIN: Yeah, we did a good practice yesterday, mixed doubles practice yesterday, this morning as well. We had a good practice session, and we'll see. We'll see tomorrow. But for sure it's gonna be tough. We have tough opponent, but yeah, we can be strong also. So we'll see.
Q. Ugo, this year was a big year for you, career-high 13. You're just at 14 now. What is it going to be like for you to have to reproduce and duplicate what you did in '24 going into '25, and the importance of an event like this to get you started?
UGO HUMBERT: Yeah, I had a really good year. The best of my career. Yeah, I just have to continue the work, what I do with my team for now two years is the good way, so just have to continue. Let's see what's happen.
But I'm really confident. I have good people around me, and yeah, let's see. Yeah, confident.
Q. Corentin, how much do you like starting the year in the team atmosphere, a nice energy and everything to begin the season?
CORENTIN MOUTET: I just arrived today, so I'm still new. But for sure I'm happy to be here, continue to practice, watch them play, support them. As always, it's nice to represent the country.
So I'm going to be here to help the guys who are playing and support them and, like, let's see if we can go far in this tournament. I will try my best on, how do you say, the crowd, in the crowd.
Q. Fabrice, obviously you've been a player for a while and now coaching and captain of the team. How different is it for you?
CAPTAIN FABRICE MARTIN: Yeah, it was very different to leave my house this year with only one racquet in my bag (smiling). No, I'm very excited to start working with Ugo and to be representing France as a captain. It's always a privilege. The team is fun. Yeah, I'm very excited to be part of this.
Q. Fabrice, you were just saying about having Christmas lunch, dinner, whatever it was over here. What was that experience like? I mean, obviously climate is completely different. Was it still ham and turkey or did you go for Australian meat pie? What did you do?
CAPTAIN FABRICE MARTIN: Yeah, myself, I had a great burger, that's the first time for Christmas dinner. But no, yeah, it's always very different for us to be in the hot weather, because we're used to almost snow and cold weather and have Christmas trees and jackets around us, and be around the family.
So yeah, we used to this. It's not the first time we don't spend Christmas at home. I mean, we are around friends or guys we know from the tour, so it's not the family but it's still people we enjoy to be with.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports