Emma Raducanu reveals how she’s taken inspiration from Iga Swiatek – as she aims to finally get one over her former junior rival
# Emma Raducanu Draws Inspiration from Iga Swiatek in Bid to Overcome Former Junior Rival at 2025 French Open
Emma Raducanu, the 2021 US Open champion, has revealed that she’s been taking inspiration from her former junior rival, Iga Swiatek, as she aims to finally defeat the Polish star at the 2025 French Open. The two faced off in a highly anticipated second-round match on May 28, 2025, at Roland Garros, where Swiatek, the four-time champion, dominated with a 6-1, 6-2 victory, extending her perfect 5-0 head-to-head record against Raducanu. Despite the loss, Raducanu expressed admiration for Swiatek’s game and professionalism, using the defeat as fuel to close the gap to the world’s elite players. “It’s very difficult to stay with her as she grows in confidence,” Raducanu said post-match. “It just shows the distance that I have to improve, but I’m not demotivated. Iga’s consistency and focus inspire me to keep pushing.”
Raducanu and Swiatek, both 22, share a history from their junior days, competing against each other in tournaments like the 2018 Wimbledon girls’ singles, where Swiatek reached the final and Raducanu made the quarter-finals. Their paths have diverged significantly since, with Swiatek amassing five Grand Slam titles, including four at Roland Garros, while Raducanu has battled injuries and inconsistency since her 2021 US Open triumph. Their latest encounter highlighted the disparity, as Swiatek’s heavy topspin forehand and supreme clay-court movement overwhelmed Raducanu, who managed only eight winners to Swiatek’s 32 in a 79-minute rout. Raducanu admitted feeling “exposed” by Swiatek’s relentless pressure, noting, “You just don’t feel like there’s much space on the court, and certain moments you overhit because you feel constant pressure.”
Despite the one-sided scoreline, Raducanu sees these matches as critical for her development. Before the clash, she spoke of the opportunity to test herself against the best, saying, “It’s great, I get another crack at the best in the world. Exposure to top players is great for where I’m at.” Her preparation included extra practice time on Court Philippe-Chatrier, a rare privilege granted by organizers after Raducanu highlighted the lack of access for lower-ranked players. While this helped her adjust to the main stage, it wasn’t enough to counter Swiatek’s dominance, who described the match as “tricky” due to windy conditions but felt in control, executing her game plan flawlessly.[]
Raducanu’s admiration for Swiatek extends beyond her on-court prowess. She’s noted Swiatek’s mental resilience and ability to adapt, qualities Raducanu is working to emulate. “Iga’s ability to stay focused and keep improving, even after so many titles, is something I look up to,” Raducanu said in a pre-tournament interview. Her own clay season showed progress, with a Miami Open quarter-final and Italian Open fourth-round appearance, boosting her ranking to the top 50. Yet, her 1-10 record against top-eight players, including five straight-set losses to Swiatek, underscores the challenge ahead.[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-features/emma-raducanu-v-iga-swiatek-roland-garros-will-raducanu-play-match-time-h2h-tim-henman-advice)[](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/may/28/emma-raducanu-iga-swiatek-french-open-2025-tennis)
The match wasn’t without controversy, as former player Annabel Croft described Raducanu’s post-match handshake as “cold” and “dismissive,” suggesting tension between the two. Raducanu, however, dismissed any personal friction, focusing instead on her growth. “Iga plays really well every time we meet. It puts pressure on me to do something extra, and I’m learning what that takes,” she said. With her focus now shifting to the grass-court season, including events at Queen’s Club and Berlin ahead of Wimbledon, Raducanu remains undeterred. “I’ve built momentum since Miami, and I’ll keep going after a few days off,” she said.
As Swiatek continues her quest for a fourth consecutive French Open title, Raducanu is using these defeats as a roadmap for improvement. Their one-sided “rivalry”—a term Swiatek downplayed after their 2024 Stuttgart match—may not yet be competitive, but Raducanu’s determination to learn from her former junior rival signals her ambition to reclaim her place among tennis’ elite. For now, Swiatek remains the benchmark, but Raducanu’s resolve to bridge the gap promises an intriguing chapter in their story.[]
