INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 14, 2023

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/L. Tsurenko

6-2, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations.

IGA SWIATEK: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Is there anything that you're particularly proud of?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure after a pretty rusty start, I was able to break back pretty quickly, so I'm happy that I played solid game. Just have another experience playing on center court, and I'm happy that it wasn't raining (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously two strong matches to start your Rome campaign. You talked in Madrid about how tricky it is to handle these two-week events mentally. What do you think has been the key to staying mentally locked in during such a prolonged stretch since Stuttgart?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, honestly, like last year I didn't have a problem with that, so I think I'm ready to handle that kind of pressure and that kind of intensity.

Of course, it isn't easy. For sure my team took care of my recovery in between the tournaments. I had three days off. It's actually a lot. I was able to kind of reset and just kind of forget about Madrid, be fresh again. I think the proper recovery is the key.

But we'll see in the second week of the tournament 'cause, as you said, it's long and it's tricky. Yeah, the calendar, it seems like it's more and more tight.

For sure I would say I don't mind my mentality. It's more like I would really appreciate to have - I don't know - like two more days to practice and to get the rhythm a little bit.

I'm trying to be pretty patient with that and just also kind of gaining during matches. So yeah...

Q. You and Lesia shared some nice words at the net. Could you share that discussion?

IGA SWIATEK: She thanked me for supporting Ukraine, but she did it also before in Miami. It's really nice and I really appreciate that.

Well, I think there's nothing to kind of thank for because for me it's pretty obvious that we should support Ukraine. Yeah, I will do that until the war is going to end.

But I know that they are in a tough situation, so I have a lot of empathy to all the Ukrainian players.

Q. A little bit of an offbeat question. Philosophically - weird intro- do you think the concept of a 'clay court specialist' exists in the current women's game or is that a thing of the past?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, my God. I don't know. I mean, you have much more experience in terms of comparing the past results of players than me. I don't know.

Well, I think if we want to be the best in tennis, you have to play well on all these surfaces. I'm lucky enough to have the grass court season only for three weeks, but I'm still getting it. I know it's an important part of the tour and I should be better at it.

For sure I feel like, yeah, you should be good on all surfaces. As you could see, Rafa, he's called clay court specialist, but he won so many tournaments on hard court and grass as well. The goal is to be good everywhere.

Yeah, for sure there are always going to be players who feel more comfortable on clay or on hard court, so it's just a matter of - I don't know - the technique and being used to it.

Yes, it's tricky. I don't know. I think, I think, I think it kind of leans more to, like, implying that the player only can play on clay. I guess having more variety is nice. But just saying the player feels more comfortable on clay, I think that's the most proper kind of thing to say.

Q. Do you consider yourself a clay court specialist?

IGA SWIATEK: I would say I feel most comfortable on clay, yeah. That's what I would say, yeah (smiling).