QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 15, 2024

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/V. Azarenka

6-4, 6-0

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on reaching the semifinal. Can you describe your thoughts?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure I'm happy with the performance. You know, I felt like I started a little bit, you know, playing too aggressively maybe, but then I found my rhythm and the proper way to play. I kept it till the end of the match.

I'm happy that I could analyze during the match and then take a lesson from that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You just said that you analyzed that match and how to play. Maybe you cannot reveal everything, but can you talk a little bit about how you analyzed and how did you start playing in the second set?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I just knew why I'm making too many mistakes, and I wanted to play a little bit more peacefully and just, I don't know, build the point and then choose the right balls to push.

Because at the beginning I was pushing from everything and then I was playing too risky. I felt like Vika was using it. That's basically what happened.

Q. It's not about today's match, but one of my colleagues showed me the picture of you, like, drawing some like symbols during your practice.

IGA SWIATEK: What? Now?

Q. No, no, like a couple of years ago.

IGA SWIATEK: Okay.

Q. Drawing some, like, circle and triangles and both hands.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah.

Q. I was wondering what is the purpose for that practice?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, probably was just an exercise to kind of stay focused in between the exercises when I played, so when I had a break, I was doing something with both hands to use the whole brain and blah, blah, blah.

You can ask Daria. She's the mastermind behind it (smiling).

Q. I wanted to ask you of your possible next opponents. They are still in the first set. If you can talk a little especially about Naomi since she's coming back and she's had a run over here, if you can talk a little about that?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, it's great that she came back. Seems like she's feeling really comfortable on the tour off court. It's nice to see her happy.

She has always been a great player, so it's good that we have her back and people can watch her. I think it's great for the fans.

Yeah, no matter who I'm going to play against, it's going to be a tough one. For sure an exciting match. I'm just looking forward.

Q. Also, a nontennis question. What is a normal amount of coffee that you drink in a day? How many cups would that be?

IGA SWIATEK: I wish I could drink more than one, I mean, like, two espressos, because that would be great, but my brain is, anyway, you know, I'm kind of thinking too much and working too much, so I'm that kind of person that needs to balance it well and drink just one cup a day and then keep it easy.

Q. When is that cup that you generally drink once a day? Is it early in the day?

IGA SWIATEK: If it's a match day, then it's right before the match, but usually before 12:00 when I have a day off, yeah.

Q. About Naomi, did you feel like she has changed not on the court but off the court, maybe around the players lounge or somewhere when you meet?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I mean, it's hard to say, because we haven't had a lot of time to talk. Also, you know, it's not like we have been keeping touch for this past, you know, year or even more.

I can just see that she is more proactive in terms of communicating. It's just nice, because she seems more comfortable.

Yeah, but I don't want to dig into it, because it's her life, you know, and no point of talking behind her back right now (smiling).