BNP PARIBAS OPEN

March 13, 2023

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/B. Andreescu

6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: You really rose to the challenge it seemed like tonight. Can you talk about your performance.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure, it was a really tight match, and I'm really happy that I actually played such a tight match, because now I see how I can handle those situations after couple of matches that were kind of one way.

So I think we both played well. I'm happy that in those important moments I was the one that was more solid.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Is it just now looking back you're glad you had a tight match or while you were in it, what was the feeling in that moment?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I didn't really think about that. Before the tournament, I thought that it would be nice to have some like stressful moments and overcome them, you know. But during that match, I was just, you know, really trying to be in the right mindset and kind of be smart about what worked throughout the whole match and what didn't.

Also, I wanted to use the help of my box a little bit, because coaching is allowed here, and my coach wasn't in Doha and Dubai. So I thought that he can give me some more perspective.

At the end, I'm pretty happy how I balanced that, even though there was like a period of time in second set where I did a little bit more mistakes. I'm happy that I came back.

Q. What were some of the things your coach told you?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, it was tactical. I don't want to tell you (smiling).

But not really complicated stuff. It's more like he can see from a different perspective without emotions, you know, what was working. Sometimes I have trouble with like analyzing exactly what I have to do. So it was pretty simple stuff, basically like coming back to what we discussed before the match, and it was basically like the same tactics.

Q. In terms of playing Bianca, you have now played her twice on different surfaces. What is the challenge that she presents? Not just the challenge, but is there a unique challenge that she presents to you in terms of problem-solving?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think the thing that she's doing differently than other players is the way she changes the rhythm with those pretty annoying high balls (smiling). Yeah, I think that's the hardest thing, I would say.

And also, like, it seems like you can be aggressive playing against her, but on the other hand, she's really good at defense and she's playing the slices that are tricky sometimes. You have to be ready for that.

Q. Could you just talk about your problem-solving in matches? Is that one of the most satisfying things you have in tennis? Have you improved at that? Sometimes is it a little overwhelming? Sometimes you have no idea what to do?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, most of the times I feel like I have improved, but there are some matches where I feel like a little bit in chaos, and I don't know which way to go that it's gonna work.

But honestly, it's not happening often. In more cases I kind of choose the right solution, and then I'm playing better. Then, you know, the momentum changes and, yeah, I just go with the flow.

Q. So what do you think she did or was occurring in that early mid part of the second set where she's up...

IGA SWIATEK: Well, in that case actually I think it was a little bit my fault that I started making mistakes, so I knew what I had to change. Also, these balls, when they get old, it's harder to control them. So you have to just remember that.

It's only my second match here, so for sure I'm gonna learn the lesson and hopefully I'll play better next rounds. But I think, you know, this match was great already, so I'm happy with the performance.

Q. How's your balance between playing to win and playing not to lose?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, after Australian Open, honestly I did a lot of work to not feel like I'm playing not to lose. So right now I don't feel that way.

Q. What does that work look like?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, just kind of reminding yourself, getting rid of the pressure a little bit, reminding yourself that you're there to run, to play those longer rallies, and not to expect that you're going to make every shot perfect because you're doing it in practices.

Yeah, I just change my mindset, and I was really like digging into everything tennis-wise, so it kept my mind busy from all the fuss that is around to the rankings and everything.

Q. Just looking ahead to tomorrow and facing Emma, how much does the Stuttgart match help/hurt? Is it not even applicable to tomorrow? What do you expect for that match?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think after Stuttgart, I just know how her shots feel on the racquet, because before I haven't even practiced with her.

So it helps that way, but on the other hand, it's great because we are playing on hard court, and there was clay, but actually this surface is slower.

So I think I have to, like, really take care of the tactics anyway, and we'll see. Honestly, like every day is different. Stuttgart match was like almost a year ago. So long time ago.

Q. What do you think you did well to help you really take charge of that tiebreaker?

IGA SWIATEK: I think my level of focus went up a little bit. I was trying to do that throughout the whole match, but for sure in the tiebreaker I felt like I'm the most focused and composed and really mentally there to finish in a solid way.

Q. In Doha also you talked about that you expected yourself too much during Australia and you changed it. So you were No. 1, you won the slams. What do you expect yourself?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, my expectation is to just kind of do everything 100%, and kind of like focus on the process and not on the results. Also, you know, trust a little bit myself more with my tennis. And also remember that I don't get like 100% influenced on what's gonna happen during the match, so sometimes it's easier when you feel like not everything is on your shoulders.

Yeah, that's mostly it.