AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 26, 2022

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/K. Kanepi

4-6, 7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: How does it feel to be in another Grand Slam semifinals?

IGA SWIATEK: Amazing. Yeah, for sure I'm pretty proud of myself, especially after matches like that, because, you know, coming back from losing first set it's a new thing for me.

So, yeah, I mean, being in the semifinal is great.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Very tough conditions, sitting in the stands watching it. How does that match compare in terms of just the physical test and conditions to other matches you have played?

IGA SWIATEK: I mean, my main concern is if the sun is going to be bothering me during the serve. So I didn't really care that it's hot and humid. Just, you know, yeah, I mean, it didn't have much influence on me, and I know that I'm physically really prepared, and I hoped that she's gonna be more tired at the end. I actually wanted to prolong some, I don't know, rallies to make her more tired, because, really, I have big trust in myself in terms of my, you know, physical shape.

So that match showed that actually it's smart to trust myself in that matter.

Q. When you reached the French Open semis, you did so winning your matches really convincingly, not losing many games. You mentioned it here, you have had some tough battles. Just wondering how much satisfaction do you get out of like coming through a real tough match like that?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, a lot, because, as I said, it's pretty new for me, you know. Right now I'm more, I have more belief even when I don't start the match well.

But, yeah, so basically I'm proud of myself that I can, I'm still able to, like, find solutions and actually think more on court on what to change, you know, because before it wasn't that clear for me, you know. So I feel like it's part of the work that we have been doing with Daria to control my emotions and just maybe actually focus on finding solutions.

Q. You mentioned your emotions. I don't think I've ever remembered seeing you show you that much emotion on court throughout the match. I wondered what it was that was creating so much frustration for you today, if it was anything in particular or just everything?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I wouldn't say it was worse than on other tough matches, because sometimes I do show emotions.

Well, for sure I felt like I had my chances in first set, and I didn't use them. The first chance that she had actually to break me, she used it. I was, like, Great (smiling).

Yeah, that was my main regret, but at the end you have to forget about that and just focus on what's in front of you. Maybe it took me too long to do that. That's why I lost the first set. But, yeah, I'm pretty happy that I was able to switch that mindset in second and third.

Q. Your semifinal opponent was in here a few hours ago talking about how one of her New Year's resolutions was less screen time particularly during big tournaments. She feels that's one of the things that's helped her this tournament. Wondering what your approach to social media and screen time is particularly when you get to the sharp end of a big tournament?

IGA SWIATEK: I don't have a problem with that, because I always, I like not using my phone, you know. So basically there is obviously some stuff that I want to do, like, I don't know, post something after a match, because it's kind of tradition and part of my routine, but it's kind of, for me, also part of the routine is that I'm gonna put my phone away and just, I don't know, rest with not using it.

I like it, because usually when I'm back home I'm using my phone a lot, like basically every minute (smiling). So when I'm going to tournaments, it's a good time for me to, you know, let it go and just focus on your job.

Q. Did you get asked about the match point yet?

IGA SWIATEK: No, I haven't.

Q. So the match point was crazy.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah (smiling).

Q. What was your thought of staying in that point as long as you did?

IGA SWIATEK: I mean, I wasn't even thinking a lot. I was just running. I was actually thinking where is like the biggest probability where she can hit the smash, for example. But I'm doing that every time basically someone does that. Obviously it's like luck that you're gonna go the right way. There is that probability, but you never know what your opponent is gonna do.

Yeah, I was pretty lucky, I would say, but on the other hand, I'm happy that I'm doing that, you know, because I'm always doing like -- maybe I'm not running to the ball that I'm not gonna hit but I'm always doing that two steps, you know, to be ready. This time it paid off.

Q. I know you're a big Rafa fan. Just wondered how much you have been able to follow his progress at this tournament, how many matches you have been able to watch, if you're inspired by what he's doing?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure. Yeah, I mean, I fist pumped Rafa like two days ago, so that was really inspiring. Yeah, I was watching every match except yesterday's one. I watched fifth set.

You know, you can see that he's just, you know, pure class and he's a legend. It's always fun to watch him. Yeah, I just really enjoy that as not only as a tennis player but also as a fan, you know.

Q. When you won the French Open you kind of played some of the best tennis like throughout the whole tournament. Curious what you have learned since then about winning when you're not playing your best tennis and having to grind and fight sometimes yourself?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, that's a great question, because actually you're gonna feel perfectly, I don't know, two times a year. So I'm still not an expert at like forgetting about that, because I still mostly hope that I'm gonna get to that point during a tournament. But it's just, you know, other expectations.

It's also not good to focus on that. You've just got to go step by step and use what you have that day. Because if you're gonna just hope or think, Hey, on the other day this ball would go in, I mean, when you're out there on court, it doesn't really matter, because you just have the weapons that you have today and you have to use them.

I mean, I'm not like an expert at it, but it's getting better and better since Roland Garros, for sure.

Q. This is an unusual day where you're going to have to play back to back at a Grand Slam tomorrow. How are you feeling physically and how will you feel coming back on court?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, it's hard to say right now because I just finished. But as I said, I always felt prepared physically, and I know my preseason was pretty hard. I'm going to see how the other factors are going to influence it, like the stress, because the recovery after practices, even if they are three-hour practices, and after a match, it's pretty different.

I'll see tomorrow, but I have optimistic views. So, yeah.

Q. The other day Alize Cornet described Danielle Collins as very dramatic and like a lion. What are your thoughts and how do you feel you'll approach this match against her in the semifinals?

IGA SWIATEK: I mean, I will approach it the same as any other match, really. I have played with some heavy hitters on this tournament already, so I feel like I'm, you know, feeling their game on my racquet pretty well.

I mean, you know, that two matches showed me that even in tough moments I can, you know, come back, and I have, you know, skills to win matches even when they are really hard.

For sure it's gonna be hard, and she's in great shape, you can see that, and really like confident. But I also feel that way. I just hope it's gonna be a good match.

Q. In the past you've talked about how you wanted to go step by step, now that the Roland Garros win kind of came early and interrupted your progression, in a way.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah.

Q. So now you're in a hard court semifinal at a major. Does this feel step by step, or has this result come again earlier than maybe you were expecting?

IGA SWIATEK: No, it feels step by step. Yeah, I know how I can play. Obviously it's sometimes hard to show it during a tournament with all the factors coming in. But, like, tennis-wise, I feel like these are the stages of a tournament I can actually reach if the other things are gonna work out.

Yeah, I feel like I'm in good place.

Q. I want to ask you a couple of questions. Firstly about your offseason. You said it was tough. Where was it? And also, at the end of the match you said that, you know, you could write an essay for the Polish fans. I'm just wondering if you could expand a little on that? You said you'd like to meet them, so I'm just wondering, in better times, of course, I was just wondering the closeness that you feel.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, answering the first question, I did the whole preseason in Poland, because I had some stuff that I wanted to finish there, like getting a driver's license. Yeah, it was only a month, so it was not a lot, because the Finals were pretty late in the calendar.

But I'm pretty happy that I was there on Christmas and I could actually, you know, not think about tournaments, because I think if I would go somewhere abroad I would still feel like I'm abroad and I'm preparing for tournaments. At home it was a little bit better.

And the other question, you know, I'm just really grateful that that people are supporting me, because it's just really satisfying to see that they actually can see, you know, my sweat and my work, and they really appreciate that. It just makes everything, just makes working hard and, you know -- sorry, I forgot the word. It just makes everything easier, like, you know, to try harder, you know, and fight for every point.

Yeah, I mean, that's all (smiling). That's the essay.