QATAR TOTAL ENERGIES OPEN

February 11, 2026

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/D. Kasatkina

5-7, 6-1, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Iga, tough first set, but I'm sure you're happy to get the win. Your thoughts on the performance.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, for sure it wasn't an easy match. Even in second and third set I had to do a lot to win rallies against Daria.

For sure, you know, in the first set I wasn't playing practically, and she was more aggressive, and she used that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions?

Q. You mentioned she was playing more aggressively. Did you feel like she was doing anything else differently compared to previous matches?

IGA SWIATEK: I think that, and I think I gave her more chances. I don't know. Like, when did we, I don't remember when we played last time. I think it was in Riyadh. Totally different conditions.

For sure she used the slower surface here and, yeah, she was going for it more, I would say, comparing to last matches. But you never know, you know, if it was her, you know, just doing that from the beginning, or me giving her more chances. In tennis there are both people playing, so I would need to, I don't know, maybe watch and see. But for sure I felt like I could do sometimes more in the first set. Yeah, didn't really adjust well to the colder conditions and the wind. For sure it's a lesson for next days.

Q. Up next is Maria tomorrow. What do you expect from that match? Do you expect a tougher match compared to last year?

IGA SWIATEK: Honestly, I never expect easy matches because everybody, you know, can play great level here. Against Maria it's always physical and tough. I feel like she's playing better now, so, yeah, I'll be ready for it.

Q. This time last year I remember you were feeling a bit frustrated about your position in the ranking, and feeling like it was difficult to gain points. Curious how you have sort of solved that or maybe put that, those sorts of concerns in the back of your mind.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, last year, you know, I came back after my case after, like, not having opportunity to play the tournaments sometimes. So it was a totally different stage of my career even, I would say. I'm not thinking about that any more. I'm just focused on work and, yeah, that's it (laughing). I mean, whatever happens now with points it's because of my level, not because I couldn't play. It's a much more normal situation in sports, I would say.

Q. I'm not sure if you've been able to catch any of Victoria Mboko's rise since last year. I mean, not long ago you were the 18- or 19-year-old swinging free. Does it feel like a lifetime ago?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, it feels a long time ago. It feels like I've been on tour much longer than I actually was because of the amount of tournaments I played and won, and the intensity overall.

But, yeah, we practiced actually in Sydney with Victoria. She has a great game. It's really refreshing seeing these young players bringing energy and quality. Yeah, I totally get why she's wining, and I'll be watching her for sure.

Q. It's not really a tennis-related question. I know you're a big fan of the winter Olympics. I know you've talked about it a little bit, but if you could be a winter Olympian what specific sport would you want to do and why?

IGA SWIATEK: Oh my god, that's a tough one. I don't like that much of adrenaline, so for sure not alpine skiing. Oh my God. I never tried skating, so also I can't... honestly, I never try any winter sport, so I can't really answer that question. Yeah, I don't know. I have no idea. I have no idea. Because I never got opportunity to do anything, honestly. Like, I was skiing up until I was seven, so that's not really enough of experience to judge, you know. I don't know, maybe biathlon. But I will need to see how I am with endurance sports, yeah.

Q. In your first matches against Maria you lost three of them, and then you won the last four. Do you think that when you look back you were not able to do something the first few matches against her that you maybe have improved the last few matches? Just your thoughts on that.

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, for sure. I think I played a bit smarter later on. But overall I think my level improved in 2022 so I could do a bit more, had more variety, and could push a little bit more. But against Maria, it's always tough. It's always like every game matters, every point matters. So even though, you know, sometimes I lost, sometimes I won, I felt like we were playing both kind of similar level, it was just a matter of bringing this great level in the important moments to win the games and sets.

Q. Regarding the winter sport thing. I mean, you said you have never done any of that kind of winter sport. Is that because you are afraid of being injured?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I don't have time. I don't know where I would squeeze it in. Maybe if I would live in a place where it's easy to do that then, like Jannik, for example, you know, then maybe I would go skiing or not. But I have no time.

But if I have to choose I would try water sports first. So that would be my first option for doing something except tennis.

Q. So you just said that you don't have any time to do that, but is there something that you are looking forward to do one day?

IGA SWIATEK: I would love to ski, yeah. Not super fast, but just get the feeling of it. Because, yeah, last time I skied was when I was seven, so I for sure want to have this experience again.