(VIDEO) “That’s all I know”:Iga Swiatek laughs about her Spanish in Madrid
WTAThursday, 23 April 2026 at 23:30
Iga Swiatek combined a commanding performance on court with a lighter moment off it, addressing fans in Spanish following her opening victory at the Madrid Open. The former world No. 1 and 2024 champion delivered a straightforward 6-1, 6-2 win over qualifier Daria Snigur in just 61 minutes.
Swiatek, seeded No. 4 this week, arrived in Madrid seeking to reset after a quarterfinal defeat to Mirra Andreeva in Stuttgart. Her performance on Manolo Santana Stadium offered a clear response, combining control from the baseline with efficiency on serve. The Polish player converted five of six break points and won 78.4% of points behind her first serve, leaving little room for resistance from her opponent.
The victory also continues a strong record for Swiatek in the Spanish capital. She has reached the final in two of her last three appearances and lifted the title in 2024, underlining her ability to adapt to Madrid’s faster clay conditions. With a balanced draw ahead, she remains firmly in contention as the tournament progresses toward its latter stages.
Her next test will come against No. 31 seed Ann Li, who advanced after defeating fellow American Alycia Parks in three sets. The matchup presents a different challenge, but Swiatek enters the contest with momentum and a clear objective of building consistency ahead of the key events in Rome and Roland Garros.
“Hola, ¿cómo estás Madrid?”:
After the match, Swiatek shifted focus from performance to interaction, acknowledging the Madrid crowd with a brief attempt at Spanish. During the on-court interview, she was asked whether she remembered anything from her Spanish classes at school. “Honestly, I should have learned more, but… ‘hola, ¿cómo estás Madrid?’” said the six-time Grand Slam champion, smiling to the applause of the crowd.
Swiatek explained that she had been trying to use Spanish in everyday situations during the week, particularly when ordering food. The attempt led to a mix of languages, highlighting the challenges of applying basic knowledge in real contexts. “This week, I was trying to speak Spanish a little bit, and for example, ordering some food in Spanish. It ended up like I was saying, ‘Dos bocadillos, please. Por favor… sorry… dos bocadillos, por favor.’”
She added that the situation quickly became complicated when native speakers responded fluently, forcing her to revert to English. “And then the people at the restaurant started speaking Spanish to me, and I was like, okay, that’s all I know, so let’s please switch to English. So I’ll try to get better. I have a Spanish coach right now, so hopefully this will help.”
Strong start reinforces title ambitions in Madrid
Beyond the off-court interaction, Swiatek’s performance provided a clear indicator of her current level on clay. The one-sided scoreline was supported by underlying metrics, particularly her first-serve efficiency and return pressure, which consistently placed Snigur on the defensive.
Her ability to convert five of six break points proved decisive, while her 78.4% success rate behind the first serve limited any opportunity for momentum shifts. The match followed a familiar pattern for Swiatek on clay, where early control often translates into shortened contests and minimal physical expenditure.
Looking ahead, the Polish player’s position in the draw keeps her among the primary contenders for the title. The Pole is aiming to lift a trophy again on clay courts, with the last one she achieved coming at Roland Garros 2024.
With Rome and Roland Garros on the horizon, Swiatek’s objective will be to convert early dominance into sustained results. After a 2025 campaign without titles on the surface, Madrid could be an ideal stage for the Pole to break that negative run and once again show why she earned the label of “Queen of Clay.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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