PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 19, 2024

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/E. Raducanu

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Iga, well done. Another very solid performance. How pleased are you with the match today?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, for sure it was intense, a lot of tough games, a lot of chances. So I'm happy that I used to some of them, and I got the lead in both sets. Good finish and strong at the end.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Can you talk about the mental part of the game? Because, for example, on your service game after maybe the first two service games, it was, I would say, easy in the sense you were winning most of the points, Emma was building a lot of pressure on you, but at the same time you responded very well every single time. I was wondering if you were really that much prepared or you started it after she broken you in the first game?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, honestly, I think it's too complicated question. I don't know if I thought of it that way. I knew that even though -- I mean, she started playing at the beginning pretty loose, like she had nothing to lose, and I totally get that. Sometimes it is like that.

But I knew I was kind of questioning if she's going to be able to keep the same intensity throughout the whole match. It wasn't about service games or return games. I was just the waiting for my chances to break back and I was sure that I'm going to get them.

Q. On her serve, can you talk about her serve as a shot? Is it difficult to read? Is it the placement? What is it that when she is serving well makes it difficult?

IGA SWIATEK: I think she has a really good placement. She was serving, you know, even though it wasn't like 180, it was sometimes on the line and pretty tricky. So she's mixing it up. Yeah, she has a pretty good serve.

Q. You played Emma here two years ago. Were there any differences today with what was going on on the other side of the net compared to then or no difference at all?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, honestly I played so many matches since then, I don't really remember how it went two years ago. I just remember I was, you know, surprised with how she can spin the ball on her forehand, because we never played before. So I never knew she's capable of that, and today I knew that.

So I wouldn't say there was much difference in that, but for sure, you know, she's older, she has learned a lot. I would say the intensity was a little bit higher, yeah.

Q. When it's, like, match ball and then the fans screaming your name, it was the case, and it's more support, real support for you, or it's keeping you from concentrating? What is in your head in this situation?

IGA SWIATEK: I mean, I know that people are gonna do that, so I try to stay in my zone and not really treat this point as any other point, if you know what I mean, because sometimes it's hard to close the match, so I'm trying to kind of imagine that this is just another point, no reason to overthink it.

But for sure I can hear the crowd but I'm trying to stay focused. I wouldn't say it has bad influence on me, because I really like the support. Sometimes I use it my way.

But on a match point I try to stay in my zone.

Q. Just looking ahead to facing Elena, you guys obviously haven't played here in Stuttgart before, a very particular surface. In terms of that matchup and how you guys have played each other in the past, what is the challenge of playing her here?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, we'll see. It's not like I had time to watch a review of her match. I will prepare the tactics today. I just came off court, so I don't really have anything specific in mind.

Q. Also regarding you, where are you at, let's say, at this stage in Stuttgart compared to where you were a year ago in terms of your level? Is it similar, better, or somewhere else?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh, my God. You're asking tough questions, because it's hard for me to, like, analyze my game.

I remember I had different, you know, struggles last year, because that was my first tournament after injury. I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to, without practicing really hard, to come here and play on such intensity throughout the whole tournament.

I surprised myself with the way I served, because basically I didn't serve much because of my injury last year. But with my level, I mean, hard to say, because sometimes when you're coming back from injury you can play without any expectations and you can feel more free.

But on the other hand, now I feel like I practiced a lot. You know, I have plenty of matches behind me. I have more, like, better ranking situation than last year at this stage probably. So I would say pretty much the same but hard to say.

Q. Is Emma someone you would look forward to play many more matches? Because seems like good matchup, it was great match two years ago, another great match today, so it seems like a good fit?

IGA SWIATEK: I mean, for fans, for sure, it's nice.

Q. For you also nice to look forward to?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I mean, we have plenty of players to play against on WTA Tour, so I wouldn't say Emma is the one specific that I'm looking forward to play with, because we have tough matchups, you know, every week. Doesn't really matter for me.