Reigning Indian Wells champion Iga Swiatek answered journalists' questions before the start of her title defense 
– You had a great performance here last year. What are your thoughts on coming back?
– Of course, I’m happy to be back. It’s a place I really enjoy being. So, yes, I’m looking forward to the tournament. I’ve been working on getting used to the conditions and the surface for the last week. It’s going pretty well.
– When did you arrive? What were you working on?
– We arrived on Friday and I wanted to arrive early so I could have a full week of training before focusing on the tournament. It was more for me, for my game and my development as a player. It was great because you can train calmly here, without being distracted by unnecessary things. I really liked it.
– Have you tried the new coating yet? What do you think? Is it faster?
– Honestly, I don’t feel much of a difference. We come here every year after playing on different surfaces. Everyone says it’s a little different, but maybe that’s just because everyone says it. But honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. Every week we get used to the new conditions, so we’ve gotten used to it. I try not to worry about it too much and just go out there and play.
– You have won two titles here, you could be the first to win three. What is it about Indian Wells that helps you play your best?
– Honestly, I don’t know, it’s hard to say. I guess the surface is quite slow, the ball bounces high. It gives me a certain advantage. But on the other hand, the conditions here are still not easy because the air is very dry. So I wouldn’t say it’s easy to play here, because it’s not. Every match can be extremely difficult. I just try to be consistent, because if you play consistently, you have a better chance of winning titles. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy, not at all.
– This is the second season that you’ve come after two mandatory tournaments in February, and after a year with longer 1000 series events. Is there a way that you as players can adapt to this rhythm – more mandatory tournaments and a longer stay on tour?
– Yeah, I think I’m used to it because the Grand Slams have always been long, so you have one day off between matches. It’s hard at the end of the year because it feels like you’ve been on tour for so long. The tournaments are long. If you play until the very end, there’s almost no time to go home or even take two proper days off. But on the other hand, there are benefits. You can use that day off for a good workout. If your technique is a little off during the matches, you can use those workouts to remind yourself what to focus on and what to work on. I try to see it as a positive because we don’t have a lot of influence on the schedule. I make the most of it.
– You have won many matches since Roland Garros, but you have not won a single title, which is unusual for you. Does that bother you? Does that seem strange to you?
– You know, I couldn’t play all the tournaments either (laughs). I accept my situation as it is, and of course I work hard to improve my game and have more chances to win tournaments. But after Roland Garros, my year wasn’t as easy and smooth as usual. I don’t judge myself for that, and no one should (laughs).
World No. 2 Iga Swiatek will begin her performance at the Indian Wells tournament with a match against Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia.
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