Emma Raducanu has shared her thoughts following her second-round defeat to Iga Swiatek at the 2025 French Open. The match, which took place on Court Philippe-Chatrier, saw Swiatek extend her winning record against Raducanu to 5-0, without dropping a single set. Raducanu described the experience as a “new” one, highlighting the challenges of facing the world number five on a court where Swiatek has a formidable record.
Raducanu’s Perspective on the Match
Raducanu acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, “It was a really difficult match. Iga played really well. It was tough.” She noted that the beginning of the match felt tight, but as it progressed, Swiatek grew in confidence, leaving Raducanu feeling “a bit exposed.” This feeling was amplified by the fact that it was Raducanu’s first time playing a match on Court Philippe-Chatrier, which she described as a “big court” with a different atmosphere compared to other venues she has played in, such as Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open.
“It was the first time playing a match on that court. It’s also different when it’s filled and it’s got everything around. You do feel like it’s a big court. It’s… new for me,” Raducanu explained. She also recognized Swiatek’s comfort level on the court, saying, “It’s a surrounding that she’s obviously very comfortable with and she’s played in it a lot of times. I think that did emphasise me feeling a bit uncomfortable. But it’s a good experience for if I ever play on that court again.”
The Psychological Impact of Facing Swiatek
Raducanu admitted that facing Swiatek puts a lot of pressure on her from the start. “It kind of puts really a lot of pressure on from the beginning, makes me feel like I have to maybe do something extra or I just don’t know what to do in the moment,” she said. This pressure, according to Raducanu, shifts the dynamics of the match, making it difficult to stay with Swiatek as she gains confidence. She also expressed that she felt like there was not much space on the court, leading to overhitting in certain moments due to the constant pressure. “You just don’t really feel like there is that much space on the court, and certain moments you overhit, because you just feel constant pressure,” she elaborated.
Not Demotivated Despite the Defeat
Despite the one-sided defeat, Raducanu emphasized that she is not feeling demotivated. “I don’t feel demotivated,” she stated. Instead, she sees the match as a learning experience and an opportunity to identify areas for improvement. She believes she has made progress since the start of the year, particularly since the Miami Open, where she reached the quarter-finals. “I feel like since Miami I’ve really started building some momentum compared to where I came from at the start of the year and it makes me just want to keep going after a couple of days off and then get on the grass,” she said.
Raducanu also acknowledged the gap between her current level and that of the top players like Swiatek. “It just shows, I guess, the distance that I have to improve,” she admitted. She recognizes that there is a significant difference between playing against top-five players and Grand Slam champions, describing it as “a completely different ball game.”
Areas for Improvement
Raducanu believes she can improve certain areas of her game to feel like she has fewer “holes.” While she declined to specify the exact weaknesses she intends to address with her coaching team, she expressed optimism about her development on clay, particularly with her forehand. “I definitely think, like, I can improve certain areas of my game to maybe make me feel like I have less holes,” Raducanu said. She added, “I feel like I have really worked on my forehand and it’s become more and more of a weapon.”
Progress Made This Season
Raducanu highlighted the progress she has made this season, especially on clay, which is not her natural surface. “I think there were positives in the sense that I won a few matches on the surface,” she said. She considers this her first proper clay-court season, as her last one was in 2022. “I guess I’m pretty happy, considering at the beginning I felt really uncomfortable moving. I felt better,” she added.
Since March, Raducanu has been working with Mark Petchey in an “informal” coaching arrangement. She feels she has been playing with more freedom since then. Petchey has been working on tweaking Raducanu’s serve to develop more power and disguise, and the pair are also focusing on her forehand.
Focus Turns to Grass Season
With the French Open behind her, Raducanu is now turning her attention to the grass-court season. “I don’t want to go and hide in a hole, so it’s OK,” she said, expressing her determination to move forward. She plans to compete in a home WTA tournament at Queen’s, followed by events in Berlin and Eastbourne, before Wimbledon. “I need to get over it over the next few days and then get on the court and work to be better,” she affirmed.
Raducanu is eager to continue building momentum and improving her game as she transitions to the grass-court season. She sees the loss to Swiatek as a valuable learning experience and remains optimistic about her future prospects.
Swiatek’s Perspective
Iga Swiatek, on the other hand, expressed that she had a “good time” on the court against Raducanu. “Well, from the beginning, I knew what I wanted to do, so I just did it,” Swiatek said. She added, “I had a good time on the court, and I felt the game pretty well, so I just went for it.” Swiatek also acknowledged Raducanu’s strengths, describing her as a “great player” with a “great forehand” and the ability to use topspin effectively.
Swiatek is aiming for her fourth straight title at Roland Garros. “This place inspires me and makes me work harder,” she said. She defeated Raducanu in just 1 hour and 19 minutes, showcasing her dominance on the court.
Match Statistics
The match statistics further highlight Swiatek’s dominance. She had a whopping 32 winners compared to Raducanu’s eight. Swiatek also saved all four break points she faced and won all eight of her service games. Raducanu, on the other hand, struggled with 17 unforced errors.
Conclusion
Emma Raducanu’s loss to Iga Swiatek at the French Open was undoubtedly a challenging experience. However, Raducanu’s response reveals a resilient mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement. By acknowledging the gap between herself and the top players, identifying areas for development, and maintaining a positive outlook, Raducanu is positioning herself for future success. As she transitions to the grass-court season, she will undoubtedly be working hard to refine her game and build on the progress she has made this year. The experience gained from facing a champion like Swiatek on a major stage will serve as valuable motivation and guidance as she continues her journey in professional tennis.
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