UNITED CUP

January 2, 2023

Iga Swiatek

Team Poland

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/B. BENCIC

6-3, 7-6

Team Poland - 1

Team Switzerland - 0

THE MODERATOR: Well, congratulations, Iga. Another tough battle against Belinda. How did you keep your focus in that second set when it went to the tiebreak, especially as she came back a little bit?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I just wanted to, you know, remind myself what I did best in first set and to put a little bit more pressure on Belinda, because when she has opportunity to come in, yeah, it can get really tough. In defense, it's actually pretty hard to, you know, get back to having initiative.

I really wanted to play a little bit more heavy forehands, and I think I did that. So in tiebreaker I guess I was the one that was able to be more solid. Yeah, it was a hard match, also physically, so I'm happy that I got through it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

IGA SWIATEK: Well, you just have to do it, no matter if it's easy or not, because then if it's going to get to a third set, it becomes an even game.

Yeah, I still wanted to use the fact that I won the first set and that I'm leading.

I also knew that Belinda, she played pretty risky on that game when I was serving, and that's why probably she broke me. But when you play riskier, you're also going to make mistakes. So I just wanted to be, like, solid and see what it's gonna bring me.

Yeah, it's never easy, like, to lose a break when you're actually, when you want to close the match. But maybe, yeah, it's like a little lesson for me that I shouldn't think about, you know, the future when I'm trying to close the match. Just focus on what's going on here and now. I did that.

Usually is a thing that I'm doing pretty good, but it's the beginning of the season, so it's good also to have a reminder that you need a little bit more discipline.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure I felt that, but on the other hand, I'm the one that is like opening this match. So, you know, I guess people who are playing when it's 1-2 or 2-All, they have a little bit more pressure, but I just wanted to play as usual. So I'm not gonna feel extra pressure. I'm pretty happy that I was focused and I was proactive from the beginning.

I wanted to get in the mode where it didn't really matter that it's such an important match, you know, when I know it's important match.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I'm here, so that's the answer what I prefer. For sure I wanted to see how it's gonna go, you know, having team spirit and actually -- yeah, I feel like all these events when we're playing in different systems, they're making, I mean, a huge difference for the fans as well. It's nice to have that, and I just think it's a little bit more fun just because it breaks the routine a little bit and that's why I wanted to try. And for sure having these two matches was also advantage when we were making decisions.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

IGA SWIATEK: Well, it's really valuable, because I wanted to, you know, have my all engines on, and I felt like today was that kind of match where I really had to be on point in terms of my mind game and also tennis and physically. I'm pretty happy that I had a match like that.

Q. (Question off microphone.)

IGA SWIATEK: Well, honestly, we have so much media activities. No, I'm kidding (smiling).

Like I'm more focused now to actually get along well with the team and also, like, meet them, because on tour we're not talking that much. I was more focused on that. But I know that Ash is going to be in Melbourne as well, so for sure we are gonna have opportunity.