‘Exposed’ – Emma Raducanu makes honest admission after heavy French Open defeat

Raducanu has lost all five of their meetings without winning a set, with two of those coming at the 2025 Australian and French Opens.  And speaking after her latest loss to Swiatek, the 22-year-old gave an honest assessment of her performance on Court Philippe-Chatrier.  “It was a really difficult match. Iga played really well and yeah, it was tough,” she said in her post-match press conference.  “I think in the beginning of the match it was pretty tight and then as it went on, I think she grew in confidence.

“I just felt a bit exposed so yeah, it was a difficult one.”  “It was the first time playing a match on that court,” she added. “It’s also different when it’s filled and it’s got everything around.  “You do feel like it is a big court and it’s different, and it’s new for me, and it’s a surrounding that she’s obviously very comfortable with.  “She’s played in it a lot of times, so I think that did emphasise me feeling a bit uncomfortable.  “But it’s good experience for if I ever play on that court again.”  Raducanu beat Wang Xinyu 7-6 4-6 6-3 in the first round, with this year’s tournament her first French Open since 2022.

She called for a medical timeout towards the end of the first set and had her temperature and blood pressure assessed by a doctor.  Despite the setback, she claimed victory and admitted afterwards that she had woken up feeling really sick.  However, a second round clash against Swiatek was ultimately too much for her to progress any further at Roland Garros.  Raducanu will now turn her attention towards Wimbledon, which starts in just over a month’s time in south west London.  She will compete at Queen’s and then the Berlin Open, before making an appearance at the Eastbourne Open throughout a busy June.