I. SWIATEK/C. Mcnally
6-1, 6-7, 6-3
THE MODERATOR: Questions.
Q. Overall thoughts on the match?
IGA SWIATEK: For sure not an easy first match. The conditions were kind of heavy. The ball was flying slow. So we had many, like, long rallies, many moments where you could create a lot on the court.
I was really happy with the first set, then I made some mistakes. Also Caty, I felt like she was playing one more ball in, really grinding in defense.
I needed to be patient. I'm happy at the end of the match I was solid and I used the right balls to attack, but was also patient enough to stay in the rally.
Q. How did you feel when you were serving out the match in the second set?
IGA SWIATEK: In the second set?
Q. Yes.
IGA SWIATEK: I don't know. This match was so long, I don't remember (laughter).
Honestly, I want to watch this game and see if there's something that I did wrong. I'm not sure even what I did. There were many situations where I was leading also in the third set, then she broke back, so...
I don't exactly remember what happened in that game. But I will watch the match. I'll watch it and I'll see.
Q. Asking about Francis, what happened between him coming in here and...
IGA SWIATEK: Basically we're having a practice on Piazza del Popolo. It was supposed to be a live practice. We were like, Okay, I'm going to play this fun game we were playing before. I wanted to show it to him. He's really good on the volley. So we made a bet for 100€. I thought I was going to lose honestly because he's been playing so great the volley. I was like maybe let's play only the singles court. It's halfcourt basically. Let's play bubbles. I want to win, I'll make you move a little bit.
Yeah, basically I had 5-4 and the match point already. He did a split step and tore his Achilles. It happened on Saturday. On Tuesday he had surgery already in Warsaw. We kind of took care of him.
Yeah, he really wanted to be back, not to take time off. I really appreciate that he's here because for sure it's not easy for him.
Yeah, we're trying to take care of him. We also kind of wanted to show the team effort, you know? Yeah, I broke my coach's Achilles...
Q. Was it a full match you played?
IGA SWIATEK: It was a set. But it's a volley game. It ends much shorter.
Q. All the points are volleys?
IGA SWIATEK: Yeah. If you play over a service line, since you're both at the net, it's a game. So also some games can go fast.
Q. In the last weeks you didn't play so many matches. How do you see your level the last weeks, also for the Roland Garros is coming?
IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, for sure I wanted to play more matches. It's something that I feel like I'm lacking. I want to play more. There are some moments on the match where you can see I'm a little bit rusty with playing points.
I think I need more matches to gain some confidence in different situations. I'm happy that I won this one today 'cause it gives me another chance.
Q. Did Francis' injury affect your preparation in any way?
IGA SWIATEK: I wouldn't say so because he basically just missed one practice. But for sure it's not easy right now in the practices because he can't be next to me. But we'll make it work, for sure.
Q. He has to sit there and watch?
IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, yeah. It's hard to move around the court, so yeah.
Q. What is the last match you watched from the stands from the first ball to the last ball live?
IGA SWIATEK: Actually it wasn't such a long time ago because I watched AO final, Carlos and Novak.
Q. When you are watching a match live in the stands, what are you looking for? Are you just completely in fan mode?
IGA SWIATEK: Honestly, I wish I was in fan mode. It's hard not to analyze or hard not to, I don't know, compare - obviously with guys it's different - but compare what you would do or how are they playing or what can they feel.
I usually try to take some inspiration from the match and learn something.
Q. (Question regarding technology.)
IGA SWIATEK: I'm not using it, so...
Q. The smash, the overhead, some players say they can make the shot 10 out of 10 times, it's easy; others say it's a really challenging shot. I'm curious how you view it.
IGA SWIATEK: It depends on the ball. If it's really vertical, it can get tricky. It all depends on the ball, honestly. It's like an approach shot: it can be really easy or it can also be tough and tricky.
Also I feel like it's about knowing where the court is even though you're looking up. Sometimes it can change your perspective. That's why I think you can just not be so sure. Especially, for example, where you even have strings over the court.
Q. When players do miss smashes, the crowd is gasping. Is there a misconception that it's an easy shot?
IGA SWIATEK: No, it should be the point that you won, so...
Honestly, the more time you have, sometimes the harder it is to hit the right ball, so yeah.
Q. Fact check on the Francis injury. That is a promotional things you were playing?
IGA SWIATEK: Yeah, broke his Achilles for...
Yeah, I mean, the tournament asked us to play on Piazza del Popolo, so we did.
Q. He did it with all the public around him?
IGA SWIATEK: Yeah. But I don't think people noticed how serious it was because he was so brave in the moment. I would burst out crying. I would make such a drama. His face was like normal. I thought he was joking at the beginning. My hitting partner thought he was joking, as well.
Q. Might this improve your relationship in a way?
IGA SWIATEK: No, because it was good from the beginning. We did some bonding, I would say, because Daria went with him to Warsaw. It's her first tournament, so they really didn't have a chance to get to know each other. Maybe they did now a little bit.
But with Francis, we had a good relationship from the beginning. Didn't need any health issues for that.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports