"Frances Tiafoe told me not to make it too quick because he doesn’t have time to warm up" - Iga Swiatek jokes after opening US Open defense in style
Iga Swiatek began her US Open title defense in style, losing just one game en route to a first-round win over Rebecca Peterson in New York on Monday. The Pole has been in great form this season, winning four singles titles, including her third French Open title.
In the on-court interview after the match, Swiatek joked about how Frances Tiafoe had requested her not to finish her matches too soon, as that would give him less time to prepare for his own match. On record, the Pole took less than one hour to win her first-round match against Peterson.
“Well, Frances told me yesterday, actually, not to make it too quick because he doesn’t have time to warm up or do other stuff. I’m just kidding," Swiatek said.
The four-time Grand Slam winner also spoke about how happy she was to have played a solid match in her tournament opener. She added that she was glad she could have fun on the court despite the expectations and hopes pinned on her.
"I wanted to play solid and start the tournament with everything that I kinda focused on when I was practicing here for the whole week, so I’m happy that I could play such a great game and I just feel happy that I, with all the pressure and expectations, I can just have fun on court,” the Pole said.
"I want to develop as a player and what's the most important thing to me" - Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek will take on Daria Saville in the second round of the US Open 2023 in New York. Saville beat reigning Wimbledon junior champion Clervie Ngounoue 6-0, 6-2 to set up a clash with the defending champion.
Continuing her speech in the on-court interview, Swiatek talked about how she just cares about developing as a player and not the records and numbers.
"I just try to kind of remind myself that I want to develop as a player and that's the most important thing to me. You know, all the numbers and stuff don't really matter. I am trying to follow that and to just play my game no matter what," she said.
Iga Swiatek will lock horns with Saville for the second time in her career. The duo met each other for the first time last year in Adelaide and Swiatek won 6-3, 6-3.