INTERNAZIONALI BNL D'ITALIA

May 16, 2023

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/D. Vekic

6-3, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations.

IGA SWIATEK: Thank you.

THE MODERATOR: Third consecutive quarterfinal here in Rome. What was the key to your win today?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think I just played well in important points. When I was under pressure, I could play a little bit more solid. I'm happy that in those important moments I was proactive and more solid. That's all.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In terms of a little bit of an up-and-down level within the match, can you talk through a little bit of that? It seemed like it started to kick in at the end of the first. What did you do to level out the way you needed to?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I don't know because at one point I knew that I could play more proactive game, but on the other hand in these conditions, when the balls are going to get heavy, it's pretty hard to speed it up. I waited for the right moment to break. I would say I wanted to be kind of patient with my decisions.

Tactically I was more focused on myself, what I want to kind of improve when I was playing. I wouldn't say that there was, like, any reason why I had those ups and downs.

For sure it wasn't easy yesterday waiting for the match and getting ready today. I'm happy anyway that I played a solid match.

Q. What do you prefer of the Roma atmosphere?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I think it's pretty amazing atmosphere, especially when the audience likes you (smiling). When it's the opposite, it may be tough. I'm trying to, I don't know, not to do anything wrong.

I really appreciate the enthusiasm that people have because obviously they love tennis and they also love having fun.

Hopefully we're going to give them entertainment.

Q. What is your mindset going into your next match against Rybakina? Is it more that you've lost to her twice in straight sets? More of the underdog? Is it more, This is my tournament, I want to win?

IGA SWIATEK: I would say for now I don't have any mindset. For sure I'm going to get into the mood tomorrow. For now I'm just focusing on recovery. No, I would say, like, it's kind of neutral. I just want to treat this match as any other one.

Coming back to my previous matches against Elena, it doesn't make sense. It was on hard court. I know how I kind of felt.

This time I don't have, like, any expectations. I'm just going to come out and play the best game possible. Yeah, that's all. Nothing special, honestly.

Q. Do you have a feeling this year, especially this year, that three players on the top - you, Rybakina and Sabalenka - do you feel a bigger distance between the three of you and the others or not?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, honestly I only feel that when you ask those questions. I'm kind of, like, more focused on myself, what I want to do.

I know that there are players that are more solid throughout the whole season. You can see that from rankings, also from how they play.

But it's tennis, so I think, like, everything can shift pretty quickly. I'm more, like, really focused on myself. I don't really look at other players that are playing well. I'm just aware that it's tough to play against them.

Doesn't really make sense for me to overanalyze that.

Q. Can you tell us what you remember about the junior final you played against Rybakina in Milan? That was the last time you played her on clay.

IGA SWIATEK: What do I remember from it?

Q. What do you remember?

IGA SWIATEK: I think it was the first match that was streamed live on Internet. It really stressed me out (smiling). Yeah, rookie mistake.

Yeah, I remember that. I remember it was one of the biggest tournaments on, like, the junior tour. I was really happy to be in the final. For me, it was like I started to believe more a little bit in myself maybe.

Yeah, for sure, the main thing I remember was that stress. I don't know if my coach told me or somebody texted me that it's going to be streamed. Horrible (laughter).

Yeah, but I was pretty young, so...