BNP PARIBAS OPEN

October 8, 2021

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/P. Martic

6-1, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Why don't you just walk us through your very first main-draw match here in Indian Wells and how you played today.

IGA SWIATEK: You know, I just feel it was a pretty solid match. From the beginning I wanted to be offensive and not let her play her game, because I know she can play great topspin. And also she's using her kick serve, which is pretty tricky on this surface because the ball is jumping high.

I'm pretty happy that I used the tactics that I had from the beginning and just, yeah, that I could play solid and be confident today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. I wanted to ask a little bit about your going back, your experience of being launched onto the world stage after the French Open, how you were or maybe were not prepared for that and things that you have learned since that time to kind of manage the things off court that can really become a distraction.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, you know, the success came pretty early, so I wouldn't say I was like 100% prepared for that, but on the other hand I knew what to do when it happened, you know. So with the help from my team and from my family, it was pretty easy for me to, I don't know, to just come back competing and do it pretty well.

But I had my ups and downs, for sure. It wasn't easy situation, and all these new experiences, like, you have to somehow, you know, pay for that. So I had like some nights when I couldn't sleep, but really I think like watching the experience of other players, I think it was pretty smooth anyway.

You know, I'm pretty proud of my work that I have put to do that, and also the help of my team was really special, for sure.

Q. You have handled it well.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I think so (smiling).

Q. I'm curious how you found playing on Stadium 1 here at Indian Wells for the first time. What did it feel like? It's obviously a very large stadium, it's a large court, as well, there is a lot going on there. How did you feel out there?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, well, for sure comparing to this stadium I felt pretty small. Today it wasn't crowded because we played first match, and it was like -- I was expecting that. So maybe next rounds I'm going to have like more people in the stadium clapping, but today was pretty quiet.

Actually, it like reminded me a little bit of the COVID times where we couldn't play with crowds, so it didn't like bother me, but for sure I would love to like experience this stadium in, you know, with the full capacity. Hopefully I'm gonna have a chance to do that.

Q. For events where there is a day off in between until the schedule kind of resets, so Indian Wells, Miami, the slams, et cetera, how much does that impact your routines in terms of how much do you have to adjust? I know you're playing doubles here, so you have off-day matches, as well. How much adjustment and how different does it feel than playing a one-week event where you are playing more back to back to back?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, basically I don't think I need a lot of adjustment, because for me it's kind of easier to play that kind of tournaments. Usually these tournaments are bigger, because we have the simulation on Grand Slam. I like the fact that we have one day off, because with bigger tournaments usually comes bigger stress or like more things to work on basically.

Yeah, we're just gonna use that time efficiently to practice a little bit more. I'm not sure actually if we're going to play doubles tomorrow. But I like that, because when we have days off, we can actually do something different. Usually when I play day by day, I would just, you know, after the match stay in the room and just try to like save my energy, but here I can do something else. So maybe we're gonna go to Bethanie's to eat pancakes. I wouldn't do that if I would have no match day by day.

Q. Nontennis-related question, whether or not you found a new book to read?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, my God. Right now it's really hard to answer that question, because I'm reading Wuthering Heights. Oh, my God. Like I get sweaty when I say that name (smiling).

So, yeah, but this one -- I would say Gone With the Wind is better. This one it's not gonna be my favorite, but I wanted to read all of the classics, so for sure it was a must-read.

Q. I was wondering a little bit about the Nadal Academy, and not so much why you chose to go there or even the training, but just the environment itself. What is helpful about the way that physical facility is structured? I know it's kind of out in an area that's a little bit remote so it's pretty peaceful, not a lot of distractions. How did you find that? How did it work for you? What were some of the best aspects of being there?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think I was there like three years ago, so it's pretty hard for me to speak about that right now, because I know that the academy changed and developed a lot. But, you know, I loved it there, because for sure like the facility was great.

I remember just coming there and people were saying, Hey, it only rains here four days per year, and we actually came during these four days (smiling). So at that time, yeah, that was pretty frustrating.

But Mallorca, that's a great island and it's Rafa's academy, so for sure it's good. I remember that I had many solid practices there with the guys that are going to school there and staying there whole year.

So it was worth it, because I could prepare well for, I think it was Roland Garros juniors. So, yeah, I mean, I would love to go there again, but it's pretty hard to do that with such a tight schedule, because when I have just week off I would like to stay at home and see my family and friends.

So I think it's a nice place to be, and it's a great academy. I don't know that part about schooling, but for sure when you're a pro and you want to go there, I think it's a great place to practice. It has a great vibe and atmosphere to just do the work, you know.