Paris (AFP)

Surprise winner last year, Iga Swiatek (9th in the world) approaches Roland Garros in the brand new costume of a favorite: "everything has changed", she confirms Friday, two days before the start of the tournament.

The Polish, who will celebrate her 20 years on Monday, also assures that the new media exposure to which she is subjected "is part of the work", while the world No. 2 Naomi Osaka threw a pavement in the puddle by announcing Wednesday that 'she wouldn't go to a press conference to preserve her sanity.

QUESTION: What is the best thing that has happened to you since your victory at Roland Garros in 2020?

ANSWER: "It was difficult after this victory, because everyone started to see me differently. Everything changed, I had to find a new balance. It was also necessary to relearn to savor the victories after this great victory. "There. I also had to get back into the same physical shape. And winning two titles (Adelaide and Rome) was fantastic because I didn't know if I was going to be consistent throughout my career. So it showed. that I was able to play very good tennis, but also to repeat those successes. "

Q: Dominic Thiem said that after winning the US Open he achieved the goal of a lifetime. How do you feel after winning Roland-Garros so young?

A: "Dominic has been on the circuit longer. It was my second year on the circuit. And then he had reached Grand Slam semi-finals before when I nobody expected it. For me, he had reached Grand Slam semi-finals. the hardest part is especially having to learn all this professional part of the sport, to fulfill the obligations, the responsibilities which fall to me now. This is the reason why the first weeks were very difficult for me. And then it got easier because I learned. At the start of the season, I felt a little overwhelmed and then after the Australian Open, I felt like I was a little overwhelmed. found my bearings and everything was better. "

Q: You are now more in demand, especially by the press. Is it difficult for you to manage mentally, as it seems to be for Naomi Osaka?

A: "No. I have the feeling that it's part of the job and going to a press conference after a win or a loss, especially after a loss, is certainly not the most pleasant thing. but you have to find a balance, take a step back. As long as I don't have a lot of obligations, that's fine with me. But I don't want to get away from the audience either. We're always in the spotlight, everything the world is watching us but with the right support, with the right perspective and a good balance, we know that this is part of the job. The media is also important because you relay our image. You give us a platform. in shape and not everyone is a professional athlete, not everyone knows what's going on on the court and it's good to talk about it.There are two ways to do this: either through press conferences or through social media and it's good to take advantage of both platforms. "

© 2021 AFP