ROLAND GARROS

May 23, 2022

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/L. Tsurenko

6-2, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Thoughts on the match today.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure, I'm pretty happy that it was a solid match from me, and first rounds are never easy. For sure I felt good on court today. That's a good start for me.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. I'm curious if whether or not what your prematch routines, like your immediate prematch routines before you step out on the court that last 30 minutes, has that changed at all over the course of the last few months or is it pretty much locked in at this point?

IGA SWIATEK: It's locked in. Well, for sure, it's changing a little bit because we are changing sites. But I like my routines, and I feel like I'm getting that safety feeling when I'm doing the same stuff before the match. So it's the same. I like it that way.

The food is sometimes changing because you just cannot eat pasta all the time.

Q. You have continued showing your support for Ukraine, wearing your ribbon and all. From that standpoint, can I ask you, what's your thoughts on decision to not have ranking points for Wimbledon?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, basically I feel like it's a pretty tricky situation, and every solution is going to be somehow wrong one for some part of people or players.

I feel like, yeah, it's been a hard couple of weeks when we were also, you know, taking part of discussion. I felt like there is some responsibility on us in terms of that, but I feel like it shouldn't be like that. Because the problem is I think the parties that are organizing the tournaments and WTA, ATP, ITF, they all have different opinions.

So for us, it's a tricky one, honestly, because that's -- yeah, I mean, on one point, you know, that sport has always been used in politics. On the other, you want to, I don't know, make the situation that it's going to be equal for every player. But it's a hard one.

I just hope that the people that are responsible for making the decisions, they are all going to come together so our sport is going to be united, because for now, I feel like it's not united. It's all the people who are organizing tournaments, like, for example, WTA, ATP, and ITF, they all have separate views and it's not joint. We feel that in the locker room a little bit, so it's pretty hard.

Q. Just on that again, aside from the politics of the decision, Naomi was just in here and she said for her personally she's very rankings-motivated, and the fact there are no ranking points at Wimbledon would affect just how she feels on the court, would prevent her maybe from giving her all. Is that something you could imagine for yourself mindset-wise?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I have never really had a situation to play without points, and I don't really know how I'm going to react. But I think what when I'm going to step out on court it's going to be normal for me, because I don't mind points. I already have so much points this season, that it's really, it's going to be fine for me.

I'm okay with, you know, playing without points; I'm okay playing with points. But for me it's more the political side of things, because, you know, Poland is supporting Ukrainians, and the war is right next to my country. So basically, it's harder on me from that perspective. I don't really mind about points. For me, you know, it's Wimbledon, for sure. It's one of the most important tournaments in the season.

But there is war going on. So I look at it more from that way than, you know, what's gonna happen on rankings.

Q. You are on a great winning run right now. Someone in the crowd today had a big sign saying, She may never lose again. I was wondering, what does this support from the fans feel like? Can you imagine what it would be like to never lose again?

IGA SWIATEK: I'm pretty sure that I am going to lose at some point (smiling). I also want to be ready for that and be aware that there are many players out there who can play great tennis and who are really dangerous.

So that kind of mindset, it's not possible for me, honestly, because I still remember how it was basically losing on most of tournaments and being disappointed, because you know you can play better.

But for me, I just want to focus on the things that I have been focusing before, and even before the streak, because I have been doing pretty good job at that. I think it's going to help me to stay, you know, really composed and focus on the things that I'm supposed to focus.

So for sure the support from the fans is extraordinary and it's great and I love it, but I want to stay the same, you know, and keep my routines.

Q. On the ranking point thing, one tournament you played without points before is the Olympics where there is medals offered if you get to the top three but otherwise no points. I'm wondering, Wimbledon still has a lot of prestige, if that's the same or if that's a different mix just with the patriotism and representing Poland or whoever's country?

IGA SWIATEK: Truth be told, I didn't really think how I'm going to feel going to Wimbledon. The decision has been made few days ago, so I was really focused on Roland Garros. But honestly, I think I'm going to be really motivated anyway, because I'm that kind of person who just likes competition. And if I'm gonna step out on court, I will want to win, you know.

So yeah, that's true, I forgot about the Olympics, but you play for medals, so still it's really important. In Wimbledon, you know, you still have that result that is going to be on Wikipedia next to your name (smiling).

For me, also, I will enjoy the learning experience on the grass, because I still feel like there is a lot of potential I can reach, and I haven't been able to do that in previous years. So it's all going to be learning, as well. I want to use the time on grass.

Q. When these kind of politic-y things happen, which have happened quite a lot recently in tennis, do you talk to other players, share their opinion, or do people ask you? When was the last time you looked at your own Wikipedia page?

IGA SWIATEK: That's true (smiling). But, you know, even though I'm not looking there, I know the stats are going to be there, so I want to work on that, as well.

Yeah, I mean, we are talking a lot, honestly. Sometimes we share the same views, and it's a new situation for me, because we have never had a case where we actually had such a strong discussion. So I feel also like the players are, like we don't know exactly what should we do with that, because that's the first time and the situation is changing pretty fast.

We all have our tournaments to play. So we want to be focused at that on some point. The discussion is there, but we don't know how to, you know, proceed.

So it's pretty tough, you know, because before we were only discussing maybe, I was only discussing maybe, you know, how we change balls during a tournament. So it doesn't really matter, you know, in life. I mean, for sure it matters, because it will be more convenient but it's not important matter.

So right now it's important and there is discussion but we don't really know how to proceed. Maybe I have been put in that position where I'm World No. 1 and also, but still I'm 20 and I have some kind of -- I'm split, because I don't really know if I should do more or really stay focused, because that's the first time I have a situation like that in my life.

So I'm going to see. But we are discussing and we are trying to do something, but something that is also not going to distract us.

Q. I just want to make sure I understand what you were saying, that when you say you look at this more from the politics side, would you have preferred that the tour not have taken the action they did? And that it was just a regular Wimbledon and the people who couldn't play, they miss out on the points?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, my God. Great. Thanks. (Laughter.)

Well, honestly, I was trying to avoid like saying straightforward what I think, because as I said, every solution is going to be wrong for some people, and there is not a right solution in that situation.

It's a hard one, because I also know that, you know, all the Russian and Belarusian players are not responsible in what's going on in their country, but on the other hand, as I said, the sport has been used in politics and we are kind of public personas and we have some impact on people.

It would be nice if the people who are making decisions were making decisions that are going to stop Russia's aggression. But it's a tricky one. I don't know if I can say anymore (smiling).

Q. You can say whatever you want.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, as I said, I feel like I have that responsibility, but on the other hand, I don't have much life experience and I'm aware of that. And yeah, when I'm going to be ready to say more I will and you're going to see it.

Q. What you were saying earlier about the different role of being No. 1, more power, people are listening to you, and it's also your responsibility when you get asked about these tough topics, and there are so many in this year of women's tennis, how this role feels, if you're suddenly a politician on some level.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, sometimes. But I feel like when I'm doing too much I'm losing myself to that. So I should really -- I want to also stay the same and also really not waste, know, a lot of energy on things like that.

But for sure last couple of weeks have been really tough in terms of that, and still I am finding the proper balance in between those things. Because I feel like I also want to be kind of involved. But on the other hand, I know that what I'm going to do too much and my tennis is going to be worse because of that, I'm going to have huge regrets.

I'm learning how to balance all that stuff, but I feel like there is more pressure and kind of responsibility. But I also hope that people are going to be aware that I'm still 20 and I don't have to make the biggest decisions in our sport.

Q. There is a mentalist team here in Roland Garros. I want to know what do you think about this kind of initiative, if this is necessary for players here in Grand Slam.

IGA SWIATEK: I didn't hear.

Q. Mentalist team.

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, mental health. I think it's, you know, mental health has been like a really popular topic lately, and I think it's good that we may get some support. But honestly, I'm working on my own in terms of that, so I don't really know about services that are provided for other players. Hopefully, you know, they are available and the players have ability to use their help.

But I have a psychologist in my team, and we are working pretty inside the team. So, yeah. But I'm happy that the tournament is providing things like that.