OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 12, 2023

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

J. PEGULA/I. Swiatek

6-2, 6-7, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Hard luck today, Iga. What made Jessica such a difficult opponent today?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure the intensity of the match was really high, and I for sure didn't start well.

We broke each other a couple of minutes in the first set at the beginning. But then, yeah, she really pushed me, so I needed to change something up.

It was working, but in the third I don't really know what happened when I was leading. I've got to watch the match and analyze because for sure she was fighting for every point, and I did as well.

But, yeah, it was a tricky match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. At one point Jessica was serving for the match at 5-4, and you seemed to find another gear or just turn things around. Can you tell us what you did or how you did that?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I don't really remember right now. I just played. I kind of knew what I have to do to push her. Sometimes I could do that. Sometimes I was making more mistakes, and I think that was the difference.

But I tried to play aggressively for the whole match, and I guess at that point I made a few good decision, and that's all.

Q. We don't usually see both players have trouble holding their serves. Was there something happening out there tonight, or was there some reason why you both struggled?

IGA SWIATEK: I think we are good returners, so maybe that's why, but it's hard to say honestly. For sure we were pushing each other on our returns, so maybe that's why.

Q. Just to follow up on that, after the match Jessica told me that with the ball change that a lot of the players have been feeling it and noticing it, and I'm wondering, are you feeling --

IGA SWIATEK: The what?

Q. The ball change. The change in the balls. I'm just wondering if that had anything to do with the serving situation today? Just the physical tennis balls. I spoke with Danielle after her match, and she had said that she had used those tennis balls in college and that it wasn't really bothering her that much, but some players have noticed a real difference in the physical tennis balls. I'm just wondering if you have noticed anything or if that's bothering you?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, there is a difference. That's why we're changing them, but it's kind of our job to adjust and to kind of technically adjust your game style for the ball to use the physicality, I guess.

But, yeah, I still feel like I have some work to do in terms of that, but I guess, you know, with the matches it's going to come because I'm just going to get more and more feeling and more experienced.

Q. General comment about your week where you had three games that went on to three sets? Your overall thinking about that, please.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure physically it was a tough tournament. Especially that match against Karolina being delayed a couple of times, you know.

I didn't really have time during the tournament to actually rest for a while and do nothing. So it wasn't easy, but it didn't change the fact that I just fought until the end.

And this match today for sure physically was tough, like having only 16 hours to recover. For sure I'm not an easy sleeper, so it's hard to sleep after such a match as yesterday with a lot of adrenaline, you know.

You kind of have to deal with that. It's the life of a tennis player. So I did what I could.

For sure I wasn't fresh today, but usually physicality is not something that is the reason why I'm losing, so I wouldn't say it had such a big influence.

Q. In your recent history maybe since you've been No. 1, do you remember if you have been broken that many times, and what do you say when you just can't hold your serve pretty much all match long?

IGA SWIATEK: I remember plenty of times that I was broken on my serve, but I can't really tell you specifically which matches.

It doesn't really matter. Since at the beginning I was winning my return games, the match was kind of even anyway. Then for sure it switched, but sometimes it is like that. What can I say?