Iga Swiatek says ‘I’m not a fairy’ in on-court interview and apologises to crowd | Tennis | Sport
Iga Swiatek often produces magic on the court, dishing out bagels and breadsticks as she works her way through a draw, but the world No. 2 joked that she was “not a fairy” after beating teenage star Maya Joint, as Team Poland faced host nation Australia in the United Cup quarter-finals.
The six-time Major winner needed 57 minutes to seal a 6-1 6-1 victory over Joint, putting Poland just one match away from reaching the last four. And Hubert Hurkacz, who returned from a seven-month injury break this week, was preparing to face world No. 6 Alex de Minaur when Swiatek was asked whether she thought her team-mate could deliver.
“There’s a big match coming up on this court now, Alex de Minaur against Hubie Hurkacz, who has been mindblowingly good this week. Do you feel like he can come out and play the same way that we’ve seen in his first two matches?” Laura Robson asked Swiatek in front of the Ken Rosewall Arena around. But the world No. 2 couldn’t answer.
“Um.. You know, I’m not a fairy, so I can’t predict the future!” she smiled. “But I think Hubie is feeling pretty well and confident, so I was really impressed, honestly, with his comeback because you forget these feelings after seven months.
“Honestly, I only experienced that when I was a teenager, so I don’t really know how he managed to hold it together and just play the best tennis. I feel like he’s better physically as well, so I’m going to for sure be rooting for Hubie.”
Swiatek had already disappointed the Australian fans by beating home favourite Joint in dominant fashion, and she apologised as she asked them not to get too vocal in their support for De Minaur.
“Sorry, guys, don’t be too loud! But I guess, honestly, in this stadium I feel like it’s kind of even. The Polish fans are really helping us and are really loud, so thank you guys. Please stay for the next two matches and support us,” she added.
It was another scorching hot day in Sydney, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees Celsius during the day and hanging around the high-20s when Swiatek faced Joint in the evening. But that didn’t bother Swiatek, who dropped just 10 points on her serve, and thought she handled the conditions well.
“Yeah I think the intensity. The balls get quite heavy so I was happy that I was always, like, pushing forward and I got pretty confident at the end, so for sure, it was a good match. Honestly, I feel, even though it’s hotter, I think it’s less humid than when we started here, so I felt not that sweaty today!” Swiatek laughed.
“Even though I’m always, like, the sweatiest person in the room, but whatever! No, I feel the court, for sure, is fast. I think a bit faster than last year. But we already played a couple of matches so I was ready for these conditions and also the heat, it’s something that we should get used to, also before Melbourne. So positive day, for sure, and I’m happy with the way I adjusted.”
