US OPEN

August 29, 2026

Iga Swiatek

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Iga, if you could, just your thoughts on this year's Open.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, I don't have many thoughts yet, but I'm happy to be here and had a good couple of days of practice. Just exciting time in New York. I'm trying to, you know, before the tournament, also to have some good time off the court. It's pretty nice.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Curious what your perspective is of practicing in Arthur Ashe Stadium, people watching you. It's different from the norm. Do you enjoy it any different?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for sure, in the practice, it would be great to maybe have a little bit more calmer environment, if you know what I mean. Just sometimes, you know, so it's easier to communicate or something with the coach.

But I know the fans are excited and it also gives you a lot of energy. Also, it's a good practice for us in terms of the focus, and, like, really staying present in the game. It's going to also be loud during the matches. It's always loud in U.S. on matches.

So I think it's good, but sometimes a little bit more tiring, I would say.

Q. You mentioned that you try to have fun on the court and off the court. Could you elaborate a little bit what you're doing off the court and what it is that you aspire to do while you're in New York.

IGA SWIATEK: Well, my goal always is to go to Broadway, so I already had a chance to see two Broadway shows this year. So it's really nice.

Yeah, and good food. In New York it's easy to get that. I'm also planning to go to Central Park and just walk around a bit. It's nothing crazy. But the Broadway shows were great.

Q. Which ones?

IGA SWIATEK: Titanique and Buena Vista Social Club.

Q. When you come back here and think at the final major of the year what's gone on so far this year, what are your reflections on what's happened both for you personally and for the tour?

IGA SWIATEK: Well, for the tour, I don't have much to say. I guess, like, obviously every season is different. Probably there were more surprises this year because maybe, like, not the girls top three were winning slams. That's the only thing.

But for me, for sure it wasn't an easy season. Probably the toughest one and the most challenging. Obviously I had to change coaches before the clay court season, which was a tricky situation. Then I started working with Francis, and just wanted to implement all the stuff that we did on practices.

But on the other hand, didn't have a lot of practice time. So probably it calmed down, everything calmed down after Wimbledon. I managed to get some days off, reset a little bit, and we had a much longer training block. So it really helped me to, yeah, just implement this stuff that I was talking about.

Q. How are you feeling about your game right now?

IGA SWIATEK: Good. Obviously last two tournaments were super positive. Even though I lost in Cincy, this match against Jess was really high level. I watched it yesterday, and it was fun to watch it even.

So I feel happy with my game and with the changes that I made. Just looking forward now.

Q. Coco said something yesterday that I don't think I had ever heard a player talk about before, where she talked about when she had a new coach, she was cognizant he was viewed as a very good coach so she didn't want to let him down. I hadn't really considered, of all the types of pressure you guys feel, that that was one. Have you ever felt that when you've taken on someone new on your team, and now you're like, I have to be good because I can't make this person look bad?

IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, I felt it as well. It's funny she talks about that. Honestly, different things can happen.

But, yeah, I had a similar experience. So I understand her.

Q. With all the pressure you deal with, I'm sure some of it, you're like, No, that's not reasonable, put that out of your mind. Is there anything you do to handle that?

IGA SWIATEK: There are many not reasonable things that come to your head throughout the whole season. You've just got to focus on yourself and take from this coach as much as possible, like, be happy that he's so experienced and so good. And take from him -- maybe also talk to him about this, and maybe that would help, yeah.

I don't know why I'm advising other players, but whatever (smiling). I mean, I don't think Coco needs advice, though. But you asked like a very broad question, so yeah.