AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2025

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

M. KEYS/I. Swiatek

5-7, 6-1, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Iga, an epic match, but a tough one. What do you think made the difference in the end?

IGA SWIATEK: Hard to say 'cause it was a matter of one or two balls. So what made the difference? Like, this match was long, so it had many different changes of momentum and many different moments that I could describe.

I guess at the end Madison, like, was kind of brave with her decisions, and she pushed me when she needed to. Yeah, I would say I wasn't feeling as free as on previous matches to also push in the important moments.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What did you see from her being brave, if that was different from previous times?

IGA SWIATEK: No. I think she always was risking, but this time she played (indiscernible).

Q. You mentioned the form you'd been in, how well you'd been striking the ball. Did you immediately feel not as comfortable and confident, or was it something that came on because of her maybe?

IGA SWIATEK: I don't know. Like, it was probably a mix of this. Also playing at night when the ball is not bouncing so high.

Yeah, but for sure, the opponents that I played before were playing different pace than Madison.

Q. What happened in the second set? Second set wasn't very tight.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I just stopped moving, so there's no way to win the match when you're not moving.

Q. Madison was in here talking. You used the word 'brave' and the risks she took in the big moments. Was this a match that from your perspective you felt was on your racquet or not?

IGA SWIATEK: Not really. I think it was kind of 50/50 because I think maybe I would have won it sometimes if I could win easy points with my serve as she did kind of. She could always come back from being in trouble with the serve, but I didn't serve as well. So maybe that would make a difference.

But at the end, like, no, I wouldn't say like I had. It was tight from the beginning. The second set for sure, like, it was something that I just wanted to forget about and get back to my game.

Yeah, I would say this first set and third set where I feel like I was playing my tennis, maybe okay, it wasn't like 100% control as on previous matches. Still, I think I played good, but she played better.

I did everything I could. I wouldn't say, like, I flopped or, I don't know, I should have won it.

Q. Can you give us an assessment now that the first month of the season is over, your start to the season? How do you see it? How do you leave Australia?

IGA SWIATEK: For sure now it's hard to speak about that, but like, overall pretty positive. As a person, like, I've been feeling a bit better than previous years here.

For sure United Cup always brings a lot of positive emotions, but here I always felt tense and really, I don't know, just like not always happy.

This year it was different. For sure it gives me like, a positive vibe for the rest of the season. So yeah, obviously for sure I wanted more. I already played a semifinal. I wanted to win this one, but I think if I keep working hard, I'll have more chances in the future, and maybe I'll use them as I didn't use my match point today.

Q. You touched on how you felt better this year than previous years. There's been a lot of talk about your record at this tournament. Does that make a result like tonight even tougher because of how well you had been playing?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I felt like I had my chance. I don't know what's going to happen in the future. Maybe I'll have more chances. I think I'm pretty spoiled in a way that I could always use these chances. When I had an opportunity to win, I always kind of win.

Obviously it's disappointing when it doesn't happen, but this is sport, so it's not always going to go my way. Madison also really did the work as she should. She totally deserves to be in the final.

Q. Was there anything Madison did that you weren't expecting that surprised you about the way she played?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure she made, like, less mistakes, less mistakes than on those matches I won against her. I also played against her in Cincinnati where she also kind of played perfectly, and I had nothing to say. I know she could do both.

I didn't know which one she's going to be today. I think she was just more solid than when we played these matches that I won.

Q. How much does it hurt inside to miss the match point, miss the first final here, and miss the chance to become No. 1 again?

IGA SWIATEK: You have to experience that to know.

Q. How much do you think the conditions made a difference with the roof being closed? Did that maybe help Maddie be so accurate with her bravery?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, it's a tough question because on one hand I think if it would be hotter, maybe my ball would have more impact hitting the ground with my spin.

On the other hand, I don't know, maybe she would play some shots too long because she is risking a lot when she plays. I could also be late more if it would be hotter. It's always a mix of different things.

But for sure, like, under the roof, my spin, it will be a bit slower I guess. It's just physics. But on the other hand, like, I don't know that action made a difference or not. I mean, I don't think it did because it was literally like just one or two points, so yeah.