Emma Raducanu has openly acknowledged the gap between her current level and the world’s best players following her heavy defeat to Iga Swiatek in the second round of the French Open. The defending champion was overpowered by the Polish star, who cruised to a 6-1, 6-2 victory, reinforcing the challenge Raducanu faces in closing the distance to the top tier of women’s tennis.
Swiatek, a dominant force on clay and a four-time French Open champion, has been in exceptional form in Paris. She is striving to make history by winning a fourth consecutive Roland Garros title, a feat that no woman has managed in the Open Era. Against Raducanu, she delivered an almost flawless performance, showcasing her superiority and tactical acumen.
Raducanu admitted that Swiatek’s style and intensity put immediate pressure on her from the outset. “Iga played really well today,” Raducanu said. “Every time we play, she performs at a very high level. It puts a lot of pressure on me from the beginning, and sometimes I don’t know what to do in the moment. It shifts the dynamics, and as she grows in confidence, it becomes harder to keep up. It really shows how much I have to improve.”
The statistics underline Raducanu’s struggle against the elite. Her record against top-eight ranked players stands at one win to ten defeats, with her only set won in these matches being a rare exception. Against Swiatek specifically, Raducanu has faced five defeats, all in straight sets, highlighting the dominance the Pole holds over her.
Swiatek herself has spoken about their matchups, describing Raducanu as a “good matchup” for her. “There are players with certain styles that suit some better than others,” Swiatek explained. “Raducanu is one of those players where I feel like I know what I need to do against her. It just feels a bit easier tactically.”
Despite the one-sided nature of the match, Raducanu has reasons to remain optimistic about her progression, particularly on clay. This season, she has shown signs of improvement on the surface, gaining a better understanding of how to optimise her game in slower conditions. Such progress is crucial as she now shifts her focus to the upcoming grass-court season, where the pace and bounce differ significantly.
Raducanu recognizes that her current game lacks the necessary power and consistency to challenge the very best, especially on slower courts like clay. The defeat to Swiatek was a reminder that there are still significant areas she must work on if she is to become a genuine contender at the highest level.
“There are certain things I just know I need to do better,” Raducanu said. “I can’t hide away from that, especially when facing the top players. But I don’t feel demotivated. Since Miami, I feel like I have been building momentum compared to where I was at the start of the year.”
She stressed that this setback is part of her longer journey to success. “It just makes me want to keep going, to take a few days off now, and then get on the grass and push forward.”
The path for Raducanu will not be easy. Bridging the gap to players like Swiatek requires continuous hard work, refinement, and experience at the highest level. However, her honest appraisal of her current level and her determination to improve are important steps in that direction.
Raducanu’s journey reflects the challenge many young talents face when transitioning from promising prospects to consistent contenders on the biggest stages. Learning to handle pressure, developing a more powerful and reliable game, and gaining the confidence to compete against the very best are milestones she will have to reach.
As she moves on to the grass-court season, Raducanu will hope that her improved understanding of her game and growing experience against top players will help her mount deeper runs in tournaments. The defeat to Swiatek, while painful, serves as a benchmark for what lies ahead and the work still to be done.
Ultimately, Raducanu’s candid reflections and positive mindset suggest she is ready to face these challenges head-on, with an eye on becoming one of the elite players in women’s tennis.
