QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 13, 2025

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/E. Rybakina

6-2, 7-5

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, Iga. Congratulations on reaching the semifinal. Can you describe your thoughts on this match.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I'm happy with the performance. It's not easy to play Elena, and our head-to-head is pretty tight, so I'm happy that I won this one.

Yeah, I just started well, and I kept pushing. In second set for sure it wasn't easy to break back, but that's why I'm proud of myself.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. We are talking about how you have been dominating in this tournament, but also you have most successful stats in like reaching to the semifinal of WTA 1000 tournaments, so what do you think about being this consistent in that kind of highest level?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I'm happy because this is what I work for, and it's always nice to kind of remind yourself about the stats a little bit and, I don't know, just appreciate how much work we've put over the years to achieve something like that.

Consistency has always been something that I wanted to achieve, you know, and there's no match I take for granted, I want to win every each of them. I'm happy that I'm able to stay healthy, bring super-high intensity on every tournament to have these kind of achievements, because with every semifinal there's a bigger chance of winning this tournament, so I'm happy that I can keep my focus just doing everything step by step and have these achievements.

Q. Speaking of being intense, I saw you warming up before today's match, and which is really intense, in a good way, of course. I think some players would prefer to be more being relaxed almost. Do you remember when you started being that, to starting that kind of routine?

IGA SWIATEK: That's a good question, because we were actually talking about it on this tournament. I don't remember precisely where and how my warmups looked like, I don't know, five years ago or something, but for sure they were less intense. But now I just love my routine, and I know that I'm going to be ready to be on court with high energy and ready from the beginning to push.

So, for sure Maciej is the one, my physio and conditioning coach, is the one programming all of it, so he did a nice warmup that has stuck to us for couple of years now, and it's working. So, yeah, for sure I like the intensity, and I like the feeling that I'm ready for every movement that's going to, that I'm going to need on court.

Q. You don't know your next opponent yet, but if it's Ostapenko, the head-to-head is 4-0 for her, so why do you think that the matchup, this matchup has favored her until now, and what do you think you have to do to change things?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure, you know, because of the head-to-head, I can kind of play without expectations, and just focus on work, and maybe trying to change something so I can finally win against Elena.

She's a tough opponent, you know, and she also played amazing, you know, always when she played against me. So, yeah, I'll just have another chance, and I'll try to use it. Obviously every tournament has different conditions and different opportunities, so we'll see what she's going to bring, if she's going to win against Ons.

Q. Sometimes we forget how young you are, you're just 23, but maybe because you look very much mature, and you have achieved a lot, but do you think that age 23 is still young, or do you consider yourself like still very young or you are quite experienced?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I hope my face looks young, because I hope these Lancome cosmetics are working, but, no, I don't know, I feel a little bit older mentally, you know, because I feel like I've been through a lot in sports, and in life a little bit as well.

On the other hand, there are many things that I haven't experienced yet, so, yeah, I just try to remember to kind of be humble, and be ready for life, for what life brings. But on the other hand, yeah, I would say that I think I experienced everything in sports already (laughing), you know, so it's pretty funny, but I try to use this experience to have efficient career and not make many mistakes.