US OPEN

August 21, 2025

Iga Swiatek

Casper Ruud

Press Conference

ERRANI-VAVASSORI/Swiatek-Ruud

6-3, 5-7, 10-6

THE MODERATOR: Iga, Casper, if you both would give us your thoughts on the match and the event overall.

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, really fun match in a way. Didn't get the best start unfortunately, but that's tennis. We fought our way back, on the brink of losing in the second, came up with some good points when we needed to.

It's been really fun. I said it also yesterday. It's been an honor and really fun to share the court with Iga and other players. It's the first time they're doing this. I know it's created a lot of reaction, somewhat bold to do it. You can't argue that it's not great for fans because you have full packed Arthur Ashe at midnight on a Wednesday of the quallie week. How often do you get that?

It was really fun to see the crowd getting into it. It really pumped us up. Even though we were down 6-3, 5-4, them serving, we still felt like we were alive. The crowd really helped us in the second.

IGA SWIATEK: I totally agree with Casper. I think at the beginning of the match we needed to kind of adjust to the way they played, because obviously it's different playing two experienced doubles players or two singles players or one doubles player but the other is singles. Yeah, I think we did the job pretty well in terms of, yeah, coming back and kind of figuring it out a bit.

So yeah, I think Sara and Andrea for sure stepped up and did a great job. We also made it super competitive and hopefully fun for the fans. That's what this event is for. I really enjoyed the whole experience.

Yeah, it was amazing having an opportunity to play mixed doubles. It's always fun, but especially with Casper. I think we made a great team.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Casper, a lot of the guys all week have been struggling returning Errani's serve. How tough is it? What are the challenges? It looks surprising that all guys all week...

CASPER RUUD: I also do a few errors there that I'm not going to say I normally do but I would like to have back.

Just they fit because Andrea moves so well at the net. Singles players don't think about crossing when someone serves at 70 miles an hour. It's like a fear for us of crossing. We're not used to that. We're not used to seeing that on our own return.

The most frustrating thing is you feel like you hit a good return, he's there, he puts away a volley. You have it all going in your head, Don't hit where he is, don't hit where he is. He covers a lot in the middle, then suddenly he chooses a side.

At the end I told myself to just pick a spot. If he's there and hits a volley, too good. I think we broke her at least twice. I don't think she was broken until the final during the whole tournament. At least we got the two breaks.

It's a different look, yes. You get a little bit more used to it. But it's just a mix of her coming at a different pace and him moving incredibly well. They know each other well. They play with each other every slam. They make a good fit.

But yeah, it's been kind of fun and frustrating seeing that we shank forehand returns when we're not supposed to. It's also creds to Andrea for moving so quickly and well at the net.

Q. I wanted to ask a question about the format, what you think about the tournament being compacted in two days. Today you played two 90-minute matches, almost three hours. Do you think it could be done in a different way? Was it okay to play three hours?

IGA SWIATEK: No, I think the format is the only way actually the singles players could play without it influencing the singles tournament, which obviously we want to avoid. It makes sense.

I think maybe the Cincinnati final could have been earlier, if that's possible or something, because that was just the toughest part for me. But obviously for me only. Like Carlos finished a bit earlier. Jasmine pulled out. Yeah, I think this could be the only change.

Format to play only up to four, four games, I think it's fine. I think obviously it's short, but I think you can still see who's better kind of.

The final up to six, as well, it makes sense because, I don't know, we could come back (smiling).

Q. (Question regarding double specialists proving something by winning and possibly bringing in more doubles players.)

CASPER RUUD: It's hard to say. I mean, if this format stays, and who knows, brought in other places, it might be. But I think definitely they could look at the players they invite and the players who gets to play.

Now it was only three doubles players, I believe, with Christian getting in with Danielle, then you had Sara and Andrea. I understand the frustration of the doubles players not being able to play. I think maybe they could invite some more. Maybe they'll look at that.

When players react strongly at tournaments, they look at it, they take it serious and see what they can do better for next year.

All in all, I think it was good that the ones who were in a way supposed to win won. But we made it competitive. It was fun there in the end. They feel the pressure. We feel the pressure a little when you're playing a slam final. That's what we were going out there to today.

Yeah, if Iga had lost earlier, I'm not sure if we would have practiced mixed doubles anyway. Maybe we would have hit together. But never say never.

Iga and I have both played mixed doubles in United Cup in the past. We have some experience, but not together. I think we had good chemistry. We're similar people. We're easygoing. Iga is humble.

IGA SWIATEK: Rafa's kids.

CASPER RUUD: I guess that's what some say. Easy to get along, click and find some good chemistry.