MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

March 23, 2022

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: How are you feeling in Miami?

IGA SWIATEK: Excited. For sure it's a lot to digest, winning Indian Wells and having another tournament in such a short period of time.

I mean, I had time to celebrate and rest a little bit. Still there's another tournament coming up, so it was pretty hard to, like, reset completely.

I'm really excited for Miami. I'm really hoping that I'm going to be able to get used to the new conditions. It's going to be a new experience for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Big news last night with Ash's retirement. It could have enormous implications for you. If Ash removes herself from the WTA rankings, which she doesn't have to do, that would put you ranked No. 1. Have you given any thought to that?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, yeah, I had whole night basically. To be honest, at first it was really emotional for me. I didn't know about all the rules. I actually didn't even know you could choose being removed because I didn't follow any other athletes that were retiring. They were so high that it actually had a difference.

Still, I mean, I don't want to really talk about it because it's Ash's decision. I think she has all right to do, like, both things.

Well, for sure it would be for me something special to be world No. 1. I never expected that, if it's going to happen it's going to happen that way.

Actually after Indian Wells it became my goal. It's pretty weird for it to be my goal for two days and it may actually happen that quick. But still it's a longshot because it's her decision. I think we got to wait for her to speak about that.

But really yesterday when I heard the news, mostly I was really emotional, not because of my position, but more because of her retiring at such a young age. It was, yeah, pretty hard for me to digest as well.

Q. Where were you when you found out?

IGA SWIATEK: Here in Miami, like in an apartment, in the bed (laughter).

Q. What was your immediate reaction? What were your thoughts on Ash?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, basically, yeah, I have one member of my team knocking and saying, Hey, put your laptop down. I was already scared. Yeah, they said it may be possible that I'm going to be world No. 1.

Honestly, when we really thought about the situation and when we read all the news, all the rules that may apply, we realized there's no sense to actually think about that right now because we have such a short time to prepare for another tournament, we got to stay focused on our work.

Q. I don't know if you watched her video. Do you feel like you understand her decision?

IGA SWIATEK: Actually she's even saying that she doesn't expect people to understand that because it's pretty unusual situation. Not completely, honestly.

I really respect and I really think she's brave that she has made this decision because with all the expectations around, I mean, there is not many people who would stop at this point and put their happiness on the first place.

I think that's an example not only for us tennis players or another athletes, but every person that they should put their own happiness. If they are satisfied or not satisfied, they should think about their goals, not really what world thinks, yeah.

But that's really hard when you're professional athlete. That's why I really respect that.

Q. Have you had a chance to talk to any of the other players about this?

IGA SWIATEK: Not really because I just came on-site for the first time here. I didn't have time, sorry.

Q. You have no intention of retiring anytime soon?

IGA SWIATEK: No (laughter).

Q. When you say you were emotional, what do you mean? Were there tears?

IGA SWIATEK: I mean, you already know that I like to cry, so I was crying for a long time. Yeah, I mean, there was lot of confusion in me, for sure. But also, like, sadness because I always -- I mean, when I think of the player that is really complete in terms of physicality, mentality, tennis-wise, I always thought of Ash and I always looked up to her. I mean, I still do.

It would be really nice also to be able to compete against her for next few years and actually try to play better and better, to be able to beat her slice.

Yeah, I mean, we're going to miss her, for sure.

Q. Is there any other motivation for you to be No. 1, something else motivating you?

IGA SWIATEK: What do you mean? Do I have other goals?

Q. With retirement of Ash, do you have any other reason to be No. 1?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I mean, it's not like I wanted to be world No. 1 because Ash or any other player is retiring. I always wanted to -- I don't know honestly how to answer that. But I have many reasons to be No. 1.

Q. In Indian Wells you said that you were kind of inspired by the play of Ash in the Australian Open. Can you talk in more detail how you're inspired by her.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure she's that kind of player who you can see that is making progress because she's working through some stuff. She's constantly developing. You can see that her level is, like, better and better on every Grand Slam basically.

Winning in Australian Open, I mean, I don't actually know how it is exactly playing in your home country because on WTA level this year I'm going to actually be playing first time in Poland. I think there was so much pressure around her, she did it in such a style, yeah, it's a great way to win a Grand Slam.

I mean, watching her matches, you had no doubt that she's the No. 1 and the best player out there.

Q. Any part of you disappointed that you don't get to beat her?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I mean, as I said, I really wanted -- I mean, I even spent like two weeks of my pre-season working on slice, on playing against slice. I mean, I don't feel like it's a waste of time, but...

For sure, yeah, I mean, in other light, I felt like I may be close in some time. It was really motivating me. I still have, like, many things that are motivating me. For sure winning against Ash someday would be something very special for me.

On the other hand there are many players who I have great competition against. We're not going to be bored.