By Tony Fairbairn
- Iga Swiatek [5] def Emma Raducanu 6-1 6-2
- Emma Raducanu has admitted she felt exposed on Court Philippe-Chatrier against a sensational Iga Swiatek.
PARIS, FRANCE – Emma Raducanu has admitted there is a ‘long way to go’ if she wants to remain competitive at Grand Slams after she was thrashed by Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros.
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A second consecutive Grand Slam, a second thrashing at the hands of Iga Swiatek for Emma Raducanu.
The Brit was unable to stamp her authority on the match as she only picked up three games in the contest.
It seemed to be a positive start for Raducanu who was being aggressive and putting Swiatek under pressure.
However, Raducanu was unable to translate that into games as Swiatek’s defensive skills were superior.
All the tight games went Raducanu’s way as the Brit only won one game in the opening set.
The second set was a little more positive but Raducanu’s defensive skills were nowhere near the level they needed to be.
A comprehensive win for Swiatek sees her title defence on track while Raducanu has plenty to ponder ahead of the grass court season.
After the match Raducanu admitted she felt exposed on Court Philippe-Chatrier but gave credit to an incredible display from the four-time champion.
“It was tough. I think in the beginning of the match it was pretty tight. As it went on, I think she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed. It was a difficult one,” Raducanu told The Independent.
“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 is a big court. And it’s different and it’s new for me. 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.”
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Raducanu admits there is ‘a long way to go’
It has been a positive clay court season for Raducanu who has completed her first clay court season since 2022.
The defeat though is a sour taste in Raducanu’s mouth as it once again highlights the difference in class.
After the defeat even though Raducanu acknowledged the positives, the Brit said there is a ‘long way to go’ to even come near the level that is produced at the top of the women’s game.
“I think there were positives in the sense that I won a few matches on the surface,” Raducanu said to The Independent.
“It’s probably my first proper clay court season I’ve had and played through, and my last one was in 2022, so it’s been a long time since. I guess I’m pretty happy, considering at the beginning I felt really uncomfortable moving. I felt better.
“I definitely think I can improve certain areas of my game to maybe make me feel like I have less holes. I’m just going to try my best to work on that.
“But I guess against the top in the world, I still have a long way to go, and it just highlights that.”
Next up for Raducanu is the grass court season where she had some good results including reaching the second week at Wimbledon.
The former US Open champion has insisted that she is not demotivated and is ready for the grass court season.
“I don’t feel demotivated,” Raducanu emphasises to The Independent.
“I feel like since Miami [where she reached the quarter-finals] I have 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 days off and then get on the grass.”
The next tournament for Raducanu will take place on the week of the ninth of June at the new WTA 500 event at Queen’s Club.
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