Iga Swiatek successfully started Roland Garros 2026 with a solid victory, leaving very positive impressions on Philippe-Chatrier. The reigning female clay court reference expressed particular satisfaction with the level displayed throughout the match and acknowledged that the extremely hot conditions in Paris completely changed the way of playing compared to the early tournament days.
After the match, Iga Swiatek discussed the evolution of her tennis since her early participations in Paris, explained how she mentally manages crucial moments, and shared interesting tactical reflections on topspin usage, sliding on clay, and the evolution of her rivals on the WTA circuit. The Pole also brought a light-hearted moment to the press conference while talking about Rafael Nadal's new documentary.
Swiatek's Words After Her Successful Debut at Roland Garros 2026
Her Satisfaction with the Debut at Roland Garros
"I'm very pleased with how I played today. It was a solid match from start to finish. Tactically, I knew exactly how to play and just managed to execute it. It was a very good day for me."
What It Means to Slide Well on Clay
"I think good sliding is mostly about braking at the right moment and being able to transfer the energy of the movement to the ball. You don't want to stop completely and then hit, but rather do it all smoothly within the same motion."
"You also need a lot of balance, not leaning too far back or forward. There are many little details that need to come together to slide well, although we usually don't consciously think about it."
The Difference Between a Good Slider and an Excellent One
"Perhaps the difference lies in how you recover your position after sliding and in what kind of shots you can play while sliding. There are times when you slide simply because you are completely on the defensive and have no other choice, and others where you still maintain 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, not much had changed because in 2020, I didn't come in thinking I was going to win Roland Garros."
"In 2019, I had already played the junior tournament and had some experience of the event's atmosphere, although obviously playing the professional draw is completely different. The big difference in 2020 was that I felt match after match that I was playing better and that my tennis fit perfectly with these courts. I started to believe more in myself and thought maybe I could keep advancing another round and then another."
The Loss to Simona Halep that Ended Up Helping Her
"In 2019, I also played quite well, although I remember I was 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 time, and I honestly believe that without that defeat, I wouldn't have improved as much for the following year."
How Roland Garros Changes with Intense Heat
"Conditions change a lot when it's so hot. When we arrived here, 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 overdo it because the ball travels much faster through the air. It's also easier to play with height and topspin because the ball shoots off the court much faster. The most important thing is to control the ball well because in these conditions, it's much easier for it to go long."
How She Handles Tight Endings Mentally
"I don't really have a fixed routine because it depends a lot on the match. If the game is very close, I try not to focus too much on the score because that can make you play more tense."
"You don't want to completely change your game just because it's 5-5 or at a crucial moment. Usually, I try to concentrate on small technical details or on a specific tactical issue I've noticed during the match. Perhaps I think the opponent is missing many backhand returns, or something similar, 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, all of that still surprised a lot, but the following year, I felt something completely different."
"That's when you really understand why everyone says that the hardest thing is to stay on top: you need to constantly adjust your game so it's not so easy for others. But at the same time, I can also continue to improve those shots and make them even more effective."
Comparison with Ashleigh Barty
"When I played against Ashleigh Barty, I knew perfectly what she was going to do on each point. I knew she would play a slice on my backhand and then finish with the forehand, but she did it so well that I couldn't stop her anyway."
"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 a lot of points."
The Amusing Moment Regarding Rafa Nadal's Documentary
"I'm going to watch Rafa's documentary immediately, though if I play the next day, maybe not because I'll cry. It was quite funny because Francis told us in Madrid that the documentary premiere was a few days away, and the whole team got ready, we chose outfits and organized everything."
"Then he found out it was actually on a different date and that the premiere had been a month earlier. 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 showed why she remains one of the great references of Roland Garros. The Pole made it clear in Paris that, beyond the titles already won, she continues to seek new ways to evolve tactically and stay one step ahead in the women's circuit.
本新闻为自动翻译。您可以阅读原始新闻:Swiatek explica cómo cambia jugar en Roland Garros cuando hace calor

