‘Never only about the surface’: Iga Swiatek explains her Indian Wells success
Iga Swiatek has claimed that tournament victories are “never only about the surface” as she responded to claims about her Indian Wells “success”.
World No 2 Swiatek is the reigning Indian Wells champion and also lifted the title in 2022, beating Maria Sakkari in both finals.
The Pole is one of 10 women to win the tournament twice and has been backed by many to become the first WTA player to win the tournament three times.
Swiatek’s emphatic 6-0, 6-2 win over Dayana Yastremska on Sunday was her 20th match win in just 22 total matches at the tournament.
Only Serena Williams (21) has won 20 Indian Wells matches in a quicker timeframe than the world No 2, who has dropped just four games across her round two and three contests.
It has been claimed that slower court conditions in Indian Wells have worked to Swiatek’s advantage.
That was raised in her press conference, with one journalist asking: “Everybody tends to think that your success here is due strictly to the surface, the way it bounces, the slowness of it. But is it more than that for you that helps you thrive here?”
In a revealing answer, the five-time Grand Slam champion stated that such statements don’t “really make sense” – and that there were several reasons for her impressive record.
She said: “It’s never only about the surface.
“Like, I could also play to the fence and not win here on the slower surface. Honestly, you can say that about any win at any surface that any player has. It doesn’t really make sense.
“For sure, the surface helps, but it’s not the only thing. You still need to do the job. I’ve always been pretty focused here and also accepting the mistakes that are going to happen this dry air.
“I always had time before to do solid work. It wasn’t like I was rushed anywhere. Sometimes in these one-week tournaments, there is no time to practice, for example.
“But here I always have that. I know I just feel comfortable and I found my rhythm also off the court to recover well.
“I guess it’s a mix of just being happy here and having a good life.”
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The Indian Wells surface has been under the spotlight more than usual this fortnight, after the tournament confirmed a significant change heading into the tournament.
The tournament surface is now provided by Laykold, having previously used Plexipave for over two decades.
Some players have claimed that the playing conditions have changed significantly due to the resurfacing, though Swiatek believes that any change has been minimal.
“I feel like it’s fine,” added the Pole. “Still a slow, bouncy court. So it’s pretty much the same, but maybe it’s a bit different.
“It’s hard for me to say. I said from the beginning that we are coming back after a whole year playing on a different surface anyway.
“So it’s hard to really compare the same way as I would after playing one week on one and the other one on the other surface.”
Riding an eight-match win streak in Indian Wells, the 23-year-old will face 15th seed Karolina Muchova in the fourth round.
