PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 22, 2023

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/O. Jabeur

3-0 [Ret.]

THE MODERATOR: Iga, obviously not the way you would like a match to end. What thoughts have you got for Ons at the moment? Yeah, just mention a few things about Ons' situation.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I don't know her exact situation. We haven't talked after the match. You know, I just tried to give couple of words of support right after the handshake.

For sure it's a tough situation. I just hope it's nothing serious and she's going to be back soon. She's a great player and a great fighter. Yeah, hopefully it will happen soon.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Congrats on getting back to the final, though. Can you just look back on the week so far, obviously the 45-day break from competition and getting back into the swing of things. What are you most pleased with in your game in Stuttgart so far, and what are you looking forward to most about the final tomorrow?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I'm happy, you know, with everything, honestly, even, you know, yesterday's match, even though the beginning wasn't easy, I just, second set and third set I played much better and I improved then. That was a great experience to have. First one against Karolina as well.

I'm just happy that I can play good tennis, even though I wasn't practicing a lot and even though my break was pretty long. I'm happy that I could just be here and enjoy this. Honestly, I have only positive thoughts.

Q. Trying to talk a little bit about the match you would expect tomorrow, what could be the situation on court, if this clay could be an advantage for you or if there are still something you need to analyze on?

IGA SWIATEK: I'm not expecting anything, you know. As I'm always saying, we'll see. But Aryna is a great player and she's in great shape. I have to be ready to play my best tennis.

For sure, this surface is, we both like clay court, but it's a little bit faster than most of the clay courts. I'm gonna have to be ready on my return and just for the fast pace, you know.

But, you know, tactically we're gonna talk today. So I'm not ready yet.

Q. Especially given everything that you did last year, a lot of the other top players, including Aryna, have said that you, in a lot of ways, helped make them a better player. They have had elevate their games to kind of reel you in. With respect to Sabalenka and you, what about her has forced you to kind of elevate your game or change your game? Because you guys played like five times last year.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, well, having that kind of competition, that is, you know, always around, it's very helpful in terms of motivation and actually analyzing more of what we have to improve.

But I would say it's not like everything changed, because there were always some kind of, you know, stuff in my game that I wanted to get better. You know, Aryna's game, for sure, forces me to do that, but I think I would do it anyway (smiling).

So I'm just kind of developing my game no matter what's going on around, but for sure, yeah, as I said, the competition, it's an extra kick of motivation.

Q. On court you said that you told Ons that you guys will see each other in the French Open final. Do you consider both of you the best players on clay on tour right now?

IGA SWIATEK: Umm, yeah (smiling). I think so. I mean, there were so many factors to think about, but looking at our achievements and consistency, and Ons, you know, she won Madrid, she played final of Charleston last year, this year she won, final of Rome. Yeah, we're just pretty good on clay (smiling).