US OPEN

August 19, 2025

Iga Swiatek

Casper Ruud

Press Conference

SWIATEK-RUUD/McNally-Musetti

4-1, 4-2

THE MODERATOR: Iga and Casper, congratulations on two wins today. Before we start with our intimate but important group, your thoughts on the two wins.

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, I think there's not too much to say other than that I think we had a good time on court together. We fit well as a team.

I'm really impressed with Iga, the way she handles the men's ball especially. She can return the guys' serve. From the baseline she can rally with anyone. That's both our strongest sides, I would say. We played to the strongest sides of our own game. We had good chemistry from the first point. I think that's also important in doubles.

Yeah, we won some really close games when we needed to, played some good tennis.

THE MODERATOR: Iga, your thoughts?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I totally agree with Casper. I think in the second match, I don't know, he stepped up with the forehand and played some great winners that were, like, intimidating also for the opponents.

I think, yeah, my goal is kind of just to play in, to play in the guys' ball as well, but let Casper do his job in terms of opening up the court. Also when he can go to the net and be active there, I think we got a lot of points from that. For sure, yeah, it's super fun to play.

The most important thing is to have a good vibe on the court, and we had it today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Are you just running on fumes at this point? Can you talk us through the last 15 hours or something like that.

IGA SWIATEK: Honestly, it's much easier when you win a tournament because you have a lot of positive energy and adrenaline.

No, I wouldn't say I felt that tired. I think I feeled yesterday's match in my body because obviously the final is always, like, you get a little bit more tight. After the match, all the emotions, you can feel it in your body.

But honestly I think actually it's kind of nice for the recovery, as well, to have another task and to, like, not let yourself be lazy but also focused on the next exciting thing.

Yeah, I wouldn't say I don't have energy or something like that.

Also if I'm used to playing singles, then playing mixed doubles, it is less intense. You don't need to run that much. I'm enjoying it.

Q. The match ending, showering, going to the airport, eating, what did it look like? I know there was a special plane, but still...

IGA SWIATEK: Honestly, I already got the experience of not having time to celebrate. This was like the most extreme situation and most extreme schedule I have after the title win (smiling).

Yeah, I stretched, did ice bath, quick shower, media, and after like one and a half hour after the match, we already went to catch a plane. So that's it. Yeah, it was pretty fast.

But I'm happy that I did my media. That was the most important part (smiling).

Q. Casper, Iga won all her matches in straight sets last week. As she was getting deeper in the tournament, what was your communication like? Were you at all concerned?

CASPER RUUD: I can't lie. I was a little concerned. We both prepared each other if we were to do well in Cincinnati, that something might happen. We said that early when we planned.

IGA SWIATEK: I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry (smiling).

CASPER RUUD: And, yeah, last night I was having dinner here in New York, following the score, chatting a bit with Iga's team while she was playing. She doesn't know this.

I think it's her will in the end and she decided to show up here, which is wildly impressive because she got to bed 12 hours ago in her hotel in New York, and she is here. She was here stretching, doing her warm-up at 10 a.m.

Yeah, just really, really proud of two days, both wins. Iga will have a good night's sleep tonight. She deserves that. We'll be ready for tomorrow.

Q. Casper, I know you've admired Iga from afar for a long time. What is this experience of seeing her up close and being on the same side of the net as her? Do you appreciate anything else different about her as a player or person?

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, just the grit and determination. She's a very kind human, as I see her from the outside, I get to know her a little bit more. She wants the best for everyone around her.

On the court she's very, very intense in a good way. I like those kind of players. I think we both idolized Rafa when we grew up. Just the focus when we go on court, we're there to do a job, kind of go into the zone. She really does that incredibly well.

I really like when she does her swings on the court and gets ready for a point. It's not something the men always do too much. I really think it's a cool thing. It's her thing, way of getting ready for a new point. I've done it in the past in training. I don't do it so much in matches.

It just shows how focused and determined she is. It's a completely different game when you play doubles, of course. I think we both maybe feel a bit stressed here and there in rallies. You have a person at the net.

All in all I think we played well. We fit our games well. We played two great matches today. Look forward. Yeah, maybe we'll do some hitting and warm-up tomorrow and get ready.

Q. Iga, what struck you about this partnership with Casper?

IGA SWIATEK: Honestly, it's not like I can say a lot because I'm trying to, like, catch up with what's going on on the court.

I already could see Casper's game courtside on some XOs. It was great. I always loved his forehand. I think if I would be a guy, I would play kind of the same way as he does. So yeah, for me it makes sense.

What he does with his spin is just amazing. Today I could see some shots like that. So yeah, I'm happy that he asked me. Well, he's not sure. He doesn't remember (smiling).

CASPER RUUD: It was a long time ago. We can't decide who asked who to play. We will find out.

IGA SWIATEK: I think it's a perfect kind of match.

Q. Casper, obviously being here starting on Tuesday, a much longer tournament than usual. Most importantly, how does this affect your golf game? Are you worried some guys maybe who you normally beat will get some practice in?

CASPER RUUD: Yeah, I mean, no, it's just fun. I think there's been a lot of talk of this format, that they've changed it up completely. Not going to necessarily go into too much details.

The top players are here practicing anyway. It's a great chance for us to do something else and give some extra time on court back to fans. During fan week a lot of kids show up. I think it was a great atmosphere out there today.

In the past I've been lucky to hit up in Wingfoot and play a round. I had to sacrifice that this year to play mixed doubles. That's okay. When I have a partner like Iga, it's no problem. I'll have plenty of golf in the future.

IGA SWIATEK: It's good we're playing tennis because I'm terrible at golf.

CASPER RUUD: I'm not sure who is going to head out on the golf course this week. A lot of other guys that I know, they're also going to play mixed doubles.

I think Carlos and I, we have a strong team. We're trying to find someone to challenge for a good golf match. Let's see who wants to play.

Q. Wingfoot is a good opportunity.

CASPER RUUD: It's really nice. It's a U.S. Open course. I love it up there. I had to prioritize mixed doubles with Iga here at the US Open. Yeah, it was a good choice.

Q. Curious what have you made of this new opportunity before the singles have started, taking part in this mixed doubles tournament among friends, other stars you play against? What have you made of the atmosphere?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for me I think it's a reminder that tennis should be fun. Obviously when we're just preparing for the singles, there's a lot of pressure and expectations on us. When we also have opportunity to step out on the court and feel this positive energy and just have fun, I think, yeah, it's a good reminder of that.

Also nice to just spend time on the center court. There's not always a lot of that because so many players want to practice, that you only get one hour. Yeah, we can be there, soak in the atmosphere. I think it's great.

I think also for the fans, it's super entertaining, makes tennis more fun, yeah.

Q. Iga, you're obviously a great returner. It seems like you relish the challenge of returning the male players' serves.

IGA SWIATEK: The thing is that I practice with men all the time. Maybe they're not serving as good as, like, the top of ATP. But I think, yeah, you can just play without any expectations and just swing.

Obviously being a bit back, it's smarter because guys serve too fast for us to be so close to the baseline.

I love playing with topspin. When they also use more spin than the girls, I think I just enjoy the opportunity and I just go for it.

Q. We had a chance to see you play at the net a lot today.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I don't know how that happened (smiling).

Q. You don't see that a lot in singles. You're really good at it. Players say the doubles makes them better at singles. Do you feel that way, that it could do that?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, that's why I played in 2021 and 2020. At some point, like, scheduling and getting recovery is more important.

Yeah, for sure it helps a lot. But I think on singles I'll go to the net if I have to. Honestly, it's different. The volleys are different. On doubles you're there, you're just waiting for the ball. On singles you have to play this approach volley and kind of cover the full court.

Honestly, I wouldn't compare. But I think my volley game got much better over the last two years. Back before it was more up and down. I feel like more I can rely on it. Yeah, it's nice.

Q. Do you think other Grand Slams will take the risk of doing such big changes like the US Open did with this tournament or is something that is only going to happen in New York?

CASPER RUUD: I guess they have their eyes open. Let's see. It was a bold move from the US Open to do this. I know it created a lot of reaction.

All in all, I mean, tennis haven't done much to the rules or the system in many, many years. So why not try something else? I don't think this is set to be something going on for the next 30 years. It's a little bit of a trial this year, I believe.

If it's welcomed well by the fans and the players, I think there's a chance that maybe others will think of it. Can't speak for them because I don't know what they're thinking.

You have almost a full Arthur Ashe today for the whole day. What I saw out there was mostly young kids getting to see top players play in a very different setting where men and women play together, the top players team up together. I think that's a really cool thing for kids to see and for us to do something else.

Like Iga said, when you're playing singles, you're so focused on your stuff, you don't maybe always take it let's call it chill or with too much fun because you just want to win and win. That's all you think of.

Now you can laugh with each other. When someone hits a good shot, you give each other a high five. It's such a different dynamic. I thought it was really fun to be out there today.

Q. How has it been as a warm-up for the tournament and being able to get some great play opportunities in a different environment when typically you would be practicing during this week?

CASPER RUUD: I think I can maybe answer because Iga got here so late last night.

I've been here two, three days. I practiced some singles with some of the other players. These two days for me are like, okay, it's not the toughest physical work. We can have fun. You play for a bit of prize money while you're here. Why not show up and give it your all?

This is the official mixed doubles. If we get to the final tomorrow, I'm sure everyone is going to be pretty determined to try to win this thing.

Yeah, I find it a little nice break for two days before it's kind of back to zone, practicing for singles only. Yeah, at least that's my experience. It's a little good break. If this wasn't the case I'd do, like, nine days of practice before starting the tournament. When you're practicing the eighth day, ninth day, you're a little bit like, Can we get this thing going? Now you get a little two-day break, back to work on Thursday.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you both.