Swiatek explains how playing at Roland Garros changes when it is hot

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 25 May 2026 | 15.15

Iga Swiatek, heat at Roland Garros 2026. Photo: gettyimages

Streaming Challenger Little Rock live tennis

🎾 Andres Martin vs Yuta Shimizu

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Iga Swiatek started Roland Garros 2026 with a solid victory, leaving very positive impressions on Philippe-Chatrier. The reigning queen of women's clay court tennis expressed her satisfaction with the level she displayed throughout the match and acknowledged that the extremely hot conditions in Paris completely changed the way of playing compared to the early days of the tournament.

After the match, Iga Swiatek discussed the evolution of her game since her early appearances in Paris, explained how she mentally manages crucial moments, and shared insightful tactical reflections on the use of topspin, sliding on clay, and the evolution of her rivals on the WTA tour. The Polish player also provided a lighthearted moment during the press conference when talking about Rafael Nadal's new documentary.

Swiatek's Post-Match Interview Following Her Successful Debut at Roland Garros 2026

Her Satisfaction with the Debut at Roland Garros

"I'm very happy with how I played today. It was a solid match from start to finish. Tactically, I knew exactly how to play and managed to execute it. It was a very good day for me."

What It Means to Slide Well on Clay

"I believe that good sliding mainly involves braking at the right moment and being able to transfer the energy of the movement to the ball. You don't want to come to a complete stop and then hit the ball; it should all flow within the same movement."

"You also need a lot of balance, not leaning too far back or forward. There are many small details that need to come together to slide well, although we usually don't consciously think about them."

The Difference Between a Good Slider and an Excellent One

"Perhaps the difference lies in how you recover your position after the slide and the types of shots you're able to play while sliding. There are times when you slide simply because you're completely on the defensive and have no other choice, and others where you still have full control over the ball and can vary your shots greatly."

What Changed Between Her First Roland Garros and the 2020 Title

"Honestly, until I won the tournament, there weren't many changes because even in 2020 I didn't arrive thinking I would win Roland Garros."

"In 2019, I had already played the junior tournament and had some sense of the event's atmosphere, although playing in the professional main draw is a whole different experience. The major difference in 2020 was that I felt with each match that I was playing better and that my game suited these courts perfectly. I started to believe more in myself and thought that maybe I could keep progressing round by round."

The Loss to Simona Halep That Ended Up Helping Her

"In 2019, I also played quite well, although I remember being somewhat injured. Then came the match against Simona, and she completely dominated me. It was very emotionally painful, but it was also a lesson I needed to learn."

"Simona was probably playing her best tennis at that moment, and I genuinely believe that without that defeat, I wouldn't have improved as much for the following year."

How Roland Garros Changes with Intense Heat

"The conditions change significantly when it's so hot. When we arrived, it was about 16 degrees, and the ball was very heavy. You could hit with all your strength and still feel a lot of control."

"Now you need much more touch, and you can't overhit because the ball travels much faster through the air. It's also easier to play with height and topspin because the ball bounces off the court much quicker. The most crucial aspect is to control the ball well because in these conditions, it's much easier for it to go long."

Mentally Approaching Tight Endings

"I don't really have a fixed routine because it depends a lot on the match. If it's very close, I try not to focus too much on the score because that can make you play tenser."

"You don't want to completely change your game just because it's 5-5 or at a crucial moment. I usually try to concentrate on small technical details or on a specific tactical issue I've noticed during the match. Maybe I think that the opponent is missing many backhand returns, for example, and then I adjust the tactical plan a bit more."

How Her Topspin's Impact Evolved on the Circuit

"Clearly, the players have become much more accustomed to my topspin. I remember that in 2022, it still surprised many, but the following year, I felt something completely different."

"That's when you really understand why everyone says the hardest part is to stay on top: you need to keep adjusting your game constantly so it's not so easy for others. But at the same time, I can also keep improving those shots and make them even more effective."

Comparison with Ashleigh Barty

"When I played against Ashleigh Barty, I knew exactly what she was going to do on each point. I knew she would slice to my backhand and then finish with the forehand, but she did it so well that I still couldn't stop her."

"That shows that even if your opponents know what you're going to do, if you execute your shots at a high enough level, you can still win many points."

The Amusing Incident Regarding Rafa Nadal's Documentary

"I'm going to watch Rafa's documentary immediately, although if I'm playing the next day, maybe not because I'll end up crying. It was quite funny because Francis told us in Madrid that the documentary premiere was in a few days, and the whole team got ready, we picked out clothes, and organized everything."

"And then he found out that the premiere had actually been a month before. I was so sad. I think I'll cry through all four episodes."

With a very solid performance in her debut, Iga Swiatek once again demonstrated why she remains one of the major references at Roland Garros. The Polish player made it clear in Paris that, beyond the titles already won, she continues to seek new tactical evolutions and stay one step ahead within the women's circuit.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek explica cómo cambia jugar en Roland Garros cuando hace calor