THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

July 1, 2025

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/P. Kudermetova

7-5, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Iga, give us your thoughts on the match today.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I think it was a pretty solid start. Obviously I needed some time to adjust to the grass because it's different than Bad Homburg. I'm happy with the performance and I felt like I'm playing better every game.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. You made a strong start today. Was there a moment in the match when you felt, Okay, I've got this?

IGA SWIATEK: I don't know. I don't think that way. I just focus on what I need to do. In tennis, there's no place for saying to yourself, I got this, 'cause a lot can happen. I always try to be ready for what's coming. The opponent also can start playing better. You can miss some shots. The momentum can change. I'm always on my toes and ready to compete.

Q. During the match, how much do you listen to the crowd? Do you try to block them out or use them to your advantage?

IGA SWIATEK: It depends, 'cause sometimes when I need the energy, it feels like the audience can give that to me. But sometimes when they speak to me or coach me, I probably will block it out (smiling). Sorry for honesty.

Q. How different did you feel like the grass was playing here versus Bad Homburg? What adjustments did you feel like you were making mentally before the match and during the match?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, honestly I felt like it was slower. But in Bad Homburg, every day it got also a little bit faster because there was less grass on the court because it just got ruined.

It felt slower and kind of more slippery, I would say, with the movement. But also with the heat and everything, the ball bounced differently than how it will in next days, I assume.

I'm not really focusing on that. I think with the change of the weather and everything, we will have to adjust every day to a little bit different conditions. Grass is, like, a living surface, so it will also change a bit.

Honestly, I try to just not judge yet. See how it works out in next days.

Q. Petra played her last-ever Wimbledon. I'm just wondering if you have any standout memories? You played her once, but just in general what she was like.

IGA SWIATEK: Honestly, in the locker room now I saw her doing an interview. She came to the locker and I congratulated her. It was embarrassing 'cause I saw her doing an interview, so I thought she won. Then I had to say sorry.

Yeah, I mean, I have huge respect towards Petra. She's from Czech, so it feels like she's from, I don't know, like, kind of a similar country to Poland. We're close, many Polish players go to Czech to practice and everything.

I always felt like, yeah, she's also, like, one of the examples for us, even though she's not from Poland.

I always had huge respect towards Petra, and she achieved so much, especially here on grass. She has also big fan base, she's well-known for her victories on the grass. I hope she's going to enjoy today, that she's going to be appreciated by everyone, by the fans, 'cause for sure she deserves it.

Yeah, she's a good person overall, yeah.

Q. I was recently in Poland. In the supermarket, I saw all these drinks with your face. Made me want to ask you, what do you think about...

IGA SWIATEK: ...these drinks? They're amazing (laughter).

Q. Mainly wanted to ask you, what is your perspective of yourself being a superstar in your country? What do you mean for your country, not only in sports, but in general?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I hope it means, like, a positive thing for my country. You have to ask the whole country. But for me, obviously it was a big change when I won my first Roland Garros, becoming suddenly like a face of the sport in Poland. It was, yeah, pretty overwhelming. But year by year, I've got used to it. I really enjoy it because I feel like I can make good impact if I show good values and show how to do sports in a good way. I can really influence the kids.

I'm really trying to, yeah, be a good example. Anytime I see people cheering for me or even people coming to me in Poland and saying, Hey, my kid started doing sports or playing tennis because of you, it's the best kind of feeling and the best kind of motivation.

I really enjoy it. Yeah, obviously it also comes with not having so much freedom. When I go to Poland, I can't really go to a restaurant anymore and not be asked for photos every two minutes.

I knew it's always going to be like that, if I'm going to play tennis well, if I'm going to go this way off the court. Yeah, I just try to use my time to make some good impact and hopefully to inspire the kids.

Q. Do you think something can change if you win Wimbledon?

IGA SWIATEK: I think I'm already pretty big, so I don't know if that will change (smiling). But I guess it will change a lot for me.

Q. There's been a lot of talk about the heat in the last few days. You play tournaments in hot countries all over the world. As a player, how does the UK heat differ for you?

IGA SWIATEK: In most of the houses there's no AC. That's what's different (smiling). They're not ready for this kind of heat.

I think, honestly, this part made me, like, uncomfortable. Because being on court and playing in such heat like we sometimes get it on tour, so it's not like it's something new. But I barely slept normally because of no AC.

On the other hand, if you open the window at 5 a.m., the sun is going to be streaming in your face. It was a lot of logistics.

But yeah, I guess the heat is going to be over tomorrow, so I survived it. Now we're going to adjust to different conditions.