THE MODERATOR: Welcome to Team Germany, the 2024 United Cup champion team. We want to hear from the captain, how the preparation has been going, and a few words about your first time tomorrow against The Netherlands.
ALEXANDER ZVEREV SR.: No, prepare was good. I hope we have good team today and tomorrow against Holland, The Netherlands. We go with positive to this match. I hope we win tomorrow.
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Sascha, you had a strong year last year, finishing 3 in the world. How would you rate your season proportionate to your goals? What are you looking to achieve this year?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: I think you're the first person in a long time to tell me I had a strong season (smiling).
I feel like it was made out to be a lot more negative than it was probably by a lot of people, by media, a lot of German journalists, as well.
I had issues. I had issues with my body. I had injuries throughout the entire season. For me finishing 3 in the world, with the issues that I had, I feel like looking back at it, it's still something to be proud of.
Of course, it wasn't the season that I wanted to have. There weren't the titles that I wanted to have, the big titles especially. Again, with the issues that I had, with everything that was happening, to finish No. 3 in the world I feel like still is a good thing.
Of course, No. 1 and 2 are quite far ahead, which was not the case at the end of 2024 when I finished No. 2 in the world.
But yeah, I feel like I have a lot of catching up to do, but so does the rest of the tour.
Q. I was talking to Alex yesterday about the schedule, how he decided to play this tournament. Two years ago you had a pretty grueling schedule. Did that factor into your considerations when deciding to come back this year?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Well, yeah, but two years ago was very positive. We won the tournament. That's why I played a lot. So if that would happen again, I would gladly sign that.
For me, some guys like Jannik and Carlos, they're just capable of showing up to the Australian Open, playing great tennis straightaway. I feel like I'm more of, like, a diesel engine sometimes where I need to get going first, then at some point I'll start playing good tennis.
For me, I have to play a preparation tournament. I have to play matches. I mean, I love being with this team. We had great success two years ago. I hope to repeat that.
Q. Sascha, you yourself made comment last year on a few occasions of the ups and the downs. How did you on the mental side manage to try and stay as positive as possible when things were not going your way?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I mean, in the middle of the year I was really struggling, mentally especially. Then after the first round loss at Wimbledon, I had four weeks off until the next tournament. I took some vacation. I took some holidays, spent time with my friends, then went back to training. Changed the scenario a little bit. Went to Mallorca a little bit, as you know.
Yeah, just started off fresh in a way. Almost had, like, a small off-season in that time. Four weeks, that's basically what we get in the off-season these days.
In a way, losing first round Wimbledon -- of course I don't want to lose first round Wimbledon, but in a way it was helpful for me because I could just restart. Yeah, that was I think a bit of a turning point.
Then played well in Canada and Cincinnati. Didn't play well at the US Open, but I feel like the back end of the season was better for me, again.
But yeah, that was probably the turning point, taking some time off and just being away from the tour a little bit.
Q. The importance of an event for you like the United Cup, where you're guaranteed X number of matches, getting into a swing in the new year with that, leading into the Australian Open, how important is that physically and mentally?
ALEXANDER ZVEREV: Yeah, I mean, that I have two guaranteed matches is not the reason I'm here, to be honest, because I feel like if I would have gone to Brisbane or somewhere else, I most likely also would have more than two matches, I would hope.
But just being here with the team, just being in this great atmosphere, I think we all get along very, very well. Just starting the year on a positive note, I think it's important for all of us.
Yeah, having fun along the way is also quite important, because I feel like we're going to play a lot of regular tournaments during the year. I think a team event is always something very nice.
Q. Eva, this is your first United Cup. We saw a really great run from you at the Australian Open this year. How are you feeling about being back in Australia?
EVA LYS: I mean, there's always a reason I come here pretty early for pre-season. I love the country. I love the people. Every time I feel comfortable on and off the court. I just play my best tennis.
I feel like it's the best start to me into the season, especially with the United Cup. I feel like we have a great team. To be in a team like that for me is also a great experience to, as Sascha said, get the vibes in.
Yeah, I'm very excited for the next days. Again, I love Australia.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports