MIAMI OPEN PRESENTED BY ITAú

April 2, 2022

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/N. Osaka

6-4, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on achieving the Sunshine Double. Just the fourth woman to do this. What are your thoughts on that?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I don't know honestly. I feel pretty privileged that I can be amongst those players, because, you know, I wouldn't even dream of it few years ago. I knew it's going to be tough playing these two tournaments in a row.

Yeah, I mean, I realize at the end it's just another match and I took it step by step. That's how it ended.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. Congratulations. How did you feel today on court?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, pretty focused and composed, because I knew that I have a job to do. So basically even though it was a final, I treated it like any other match. I think that was the best way to do it, because I didn't want to put too much pressure on myself.

Q. As the games were falling to you, and especially in the second set, 1-Love, 2-Love, 3-Love, et cetera, what did that feel like, the way you were playing? Because it looked like you were in a zone out there. Then when that last point finished, what did it feel like?

IGA SWIATEK: You know, I wanted to be in the zone. I know I play the best when I don't even look at the score and treat every point the same way.

So for sure, I mean, I had some thoughts that were like flying around my head in a set break where I thought, whoa, this is actually possible. But I needed to really stay disciplined and not let myself think about those stuff and just be focused on playing.

Yeah, that's how it went in second set. In the zone, and I'm happy about it. Because it's the easiest way for me to be dominant and to not let myself distract myself (smiling).

Yeah, at the end, I mean, I felt relief. Also a little bit of, I don't know, I was surprised that I could actually handle all these matches. I had, you know, many doubts during this tournament. It's pretty crazy for me, so yeah.

Q. Congratulations. Two questions really. First one is, I mean, Naomi was really far into the court on your second serve. Do you see that when you are tossing the ball? What goes through your mind? That's my first question. The second question is when you look in the mirror in the morning, do you see the No. 1 player in the world? If not, how long do you think it will be before you get comfortable with that?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, when I wake up and look in the mirror, I see a mess basically (smiling).

No, I mean, I'm still the same person, the same Iga. I want to stay that way. I mean, I had my biggest idols basically stayed the same way and they are the same people. I don't want the success to change me like in a negative way.

Obviously it's going to give me a lot of confidence and like satisfaction. But in terms of me as a person, I'm still going to be the same, you know.

But the first question, yeah, for sure, I saw her stepping in. But, you know, I had many situations in my life where I kept, you know, when I backed up in those moments and I didn't want to do that this time, because I knew that I have to, you know, go forward even though, and I know that my second serve is good and it can really kick well, especially on a slow surface like that.

So I just used the skills that I have. Well, yeah, I didn't want to think about even making a double fault or something, because I wanted also to give my opponent opportunity to play, to win, it's okay, you know, to finish from second serve, or to miss. Yeah, I mean, I just went with it.

Q. Congratulations. On the court speech you talked about the time you won Naomi win US Open back in 2018. So I was wondering where you were in that time? Were you watching it on TV on your house or something? Also, you said that this one is the beginning of like a greater rivalry between you and Naomi. Actually, Naomi kind of doubted about if you really consider her as a rival. So how do you see her as a rival?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, you know, for sure when I say we're going to have a rivalry, I mean it in a positive way, that we are going to compete against each other and actually motivate each other to be better and better.

Yeah, that's what I meant. But for sure Naomi is the kind of person, I mean, she's really nice and really humble and down to earth. Yeah, I didn't mean it like in a negative way that we are going to argue in the locker room or something (smiling), because that's impossible to do that with Naomi. And I'm also not that kind of person who wants to have fight. So yeah.

Yeah, I remember the final that she played against Serena, and I remember I was on 60K in Montreal in, yeah, in our friends' house. I was -- yeah, I won this tournament, but I remember that, you know, that wasn't that kind of place I want to be at and I want to go further.

But I was 17. It really, you know, struck me how she handled the pressure there and also, you know, the weird situation that happened on court.

Yeah, I mean, it was more, I had more emotions like I felt like she's my idol, you know, right now, and I can really look up to her.

Yeah, and in 2019 when I played against her, it kind of started shifting a little bit, and I realize that I can actually compete against those players, you know.

Q. Congratulations. Two-part question. One is can you talk about playing in front of -- there were so many Polish flags here in South Florida, so many. Can you talk about what it meant to you to play in front of so many Polish fans, especially with what's going on back home? The second part of the question is Naomi told us about the dinner that you guys had in Melbourne and she said that you told her at that dinner that you were considering playing college tennis and that she said, nah, that probably you should...

IGA SWIATEK: No, I never considered playing college tennis, for sure. I wanted to be a pro, but I considered, you know, going to university and educating myself.

If I would do that in Europe, I wouldn't play college tennis because we don't have college tennis in Europe. Yeah, I mean, it was always obvious for me that I'm going to play tennis. I was, I think, like 50 back then and I realized that if I'm going to be top 20 soon, then I'm not gonna, I'm just gonna finish high school and then focus on tennis.

So that's what happened. I did that, for sure, and after Roland Garros it was impossible for me to go to university, but I still have time, you know.

Q. What would you want to study, do you know?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, the thing is that I have many interests, but nothing like -- I don't have like any passion in like science kind of stuff. I like like every subject but not enough to choose it as a path to study.

Something involving math probably, but it's really time-consuming, so not with tennis, I guess.

Q. And the Polish crowd?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, you know, it's pretty overwhelming that they are everywhere. It's great, because I can feel their support even when I'm playing against players who are with their home crowds, you know.

Yeah, I mean, I love that, because basically I'm always repeating that I'm also playing for them, and in the hardest moments, I remember how many people are watching and that I can be, I don't know, a role model to some young kids.

Well, yeah, it's really heartwarming, you know. Yeah, I mean, I can't thank enough Polish people for the support.

Q. Obviously the schedule is pretty relentless, but can you take time tonight maybe to relax and celebrate?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I will take time for sure. I didn't have time to do that after Doha, that match, and after Indian Wells. Yeah, right now I'm going to relax a little bit and take care of my body and celebrate a little bit more, because, yeah, I have been repeating myself that it's pretty hard to digest everything when you are constantly playing. So right now I'm look being forward to some off-court time.

Q. Congratulations. You were saying in the trophy ceremony that the sport is better with Naomi on it. Can you expand on that? What does it mean to beat someone like her you said was your idol in a match like this? What does that mean for you?

IGA SWIATEK: It's surreal, but on the other hand I know I'm in the right place and I have been working for that my whole life.

Well, I don't know. It's kind of hard to describe. Well, for sure just playing against Naomi in a final was pretty exciting, and I knew that the world is going to watch, because it's nice match just to follow, you know. I wanted to give the best tennis I can so people actually can be satisfied.

But on the other hand, just, you know, seeing that I can play that well against such a player is really satisfying. I forgot the other part.

Q. (Off mic.)

IGA SWIATEK: You know, I just feel like, yeah, I just feel like she can play great tennis. She's a great tennis player.

I'm pretty happy that she, you know, has -- I mean, I don't know the details, but she has done something to, you know, feel better and to compete on the highest level, because I think she belongs on the highest level.

So I'm pretty happy that we could play this match, and I'm pretty sure that we are gonna have many matches still to play.

Q. Congratulations. It's a question of maybe, I guess, amazement in terms of me following you throughout this tournament, you have had some amazing shots in terms of, even today, baseline shot on bended knee. You look quite comfortable in terms of so many shots you have made during this tournament where you are contorting. Can you describe a little bit about that and your comfort in, again, these amazing shots you made that maybe would be uncomfortable to some others?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I feel like I could play that kind of tennis last year on my practices and on my trainings back home, but I always wanted to, you know, convert that into my game on matches. Basically last season it was pretty tough to do that for me, but so this season it clicked. It's not like these shots are surprising, because I know what I can do.

Except Roland Garros and maybe, I don't know, few matches in Rome or in Adelaide, I didn't have a chance to show my full, you know, potential. I feel like I am doing that right now.

Yeah, for me it's not a surprise. I'm pretty glad that you like them. For sure it's going to be nice for me to watch some highlights. I think we are going to also analyze some matches, and it's good to also see myself on the screen because I can see the different perspective, you know.

Q. Congratulations. Amazing run these past weeks. You just said that you feel that you are reaching your full potential, that you're showing it at least right now. What is something that you would like to improve in terms of your game? What is something that you would like to work on, obviously to make it extra better?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, you know, the thing is, yeah, I feel like I'm playing similar kind of tennis I am on practices, and on practices I was always, you know, playing like more fearless.

But I don't know honestly where is like the full potential thing. I don't know where is the limit. For sure there is a lot to improve. I mean, I don't want to tell the details, because, you know...

But my coach has a plan for me, for sure, and I still have some shots where I could feel more comfortable on court. So we are going to continue working. I think it's never -- tennis is improving all the time, and players are working out in the gym, as well, and we have to keep going.

Also, I mean, with all the surface changes in the season, I think this is that kind of thing that I can also work on to transition better a little bit. I'm not saying to clay, because that's pretty easy, but maybe to grass and also again to some faster hard courts, yeah.

Q. Congratulations. What kind of confidence did you win this month, these four weeks? You won two back-to-back Masters 1000. So what changed your mentality especially?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure I learned a lot about myself that I can keep going and really I don't need to feel like 100% on points to win matches against great players. I can trust myself a little bit more right now.

I really used that streak to have more confidence and also the ranking, you know. Sometimes I felt earlier that the ranking can push me down a little bit. I felt like baggage on my shoulders.

This time I worked through that, and it was much better and it really inspired me. That's what I can take from it.

Q. You mentioned clay being easy. I mean, you did all this winning on the hard courts. Do you still feel clay is your best surface? Sure about that? Where does the grass fit in? You won Junior Wimbledon at one point, right?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, but it was super hot and the ball was going up.

Q. I'm just saying you won Junior Wimbledon.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, the conditions were in my favor, let's just say. Well, for sure, even reaching fourth round last year on Wimbledon, it was something I didn't expect. I still need to find some confidence with my tennis on grass, but clay court, I mean, even though I'm not going to, you know, even if I'm not gonna win all the tournaments or something, I still feel the most comfortable there. I just have more fun from running on clay and playing there.

So I don't really -- I guess we are gonna see if I'm gonna continue playing well also on clay, but no matter the results, it's all fun for me, yeah.

Q. You are having tremendous success. Hubi Hurkacz is having tremendous success. Are you comparing notes? Are you friends? How exciting is it for Polish tennis right now to have this incredible success?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think, you know, together we can do a lot to make tennis more popular in Poland. That's what I have always been saying, because, you know, having like top athletes in male and female tennis, I think it's great and it can inspire, you know, the next generations if we are going to use that properly.

Yeah, I hope he's gonna do even more this season and on Wimbledon, for sure, he's going to be the one, I think, who everybody should look at with his success on grass.

Yeah, I wish him all the best. Yeah, it's pretty nice to have other successful Pole on tour.

Q. Talking about Poland and your country, Poland has opened its hearts, its borders to Ukrainian refugees. Are you proud of that? Are you staying in touch with friends and family? Not to go too geopolitical here at all, but it must be something that must be resonating with you. Wondering your thoughts on how proud you are for your country right now.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I am really proud. For sure, the thing is I have been in Poland for like five days. It really hit me all the things that were happening.

You know, it's hard to like, I don't know, feel the same things that they are when I am in States basically right now. I'm gonna come back, and for sure I'm gonna catch up with my friends and family.

But I'm pretty happy that, you know, they are supporting Ukrainians. Hopefully my tennis can give them like a little bit of joy. Also, hopefully in future months, I'm gonna also use my position to help a little bit.

Q. Usually in tennis you have to get used to losing pretty frequently. It's part of the job. You have won all these tournaments in a row now. What's it like not losing? Also, I saw you pulled out of Charleston. I'm guessing you're going home now. Wondering what it will be like coming home as No. 1 with a suitcase full of trophies?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I guess we will see. I have never been in such position, so I can't really say. It's always pretty exciting coming back home, but it's always like -- I have a lot to do at home. You know, it's always, because during the tournament I'm even off my phone, you know. After the tournament, everybody is suddenly, you know, around and there is a lot to catch up on. Poland is going to be busy for me, for sure.

What was the first question?

Q. What's it like not losing?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, it's fun (smiling). No, I just feel really satisfied and fulfilled and also proud of myself. I feel like, yeah, I have got to celebrate, because I don't know how long I can keep up with this streak, you know, (smiling).

But it's pretty weird, because I got used to losing, and I kind of accepted that in tennis that you are going to lose more tournaments than win, so it's pretty weird, yeah.

Q. Obviously it's a completely different situation, environment and all that, but the way you are playing at the moment as No. 1 and the confidence you have got, how does that place you for Roland Garros?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I mean, basically I don't want to like place myself anywhere. I guess you guys are the people who are placing players sometimes. So I'm going to leave it to you.

I feel, you know, confident. I mean, last time I played on clay was a year ago, so as I said, I'm going to see how I'm going to play there. Yeah, I always, as I said, it's just more fun for me to play on clay, and I always have that extra motivation before Roland Garros, so I'm pretty sure it's going to happen also this year, and I'm just gonna be working hard. But the results we are going to see. You know, I can't promise anything.