In a one-sided second-round match at the French Open on May 28, 2025, Emma Raducanu was comprehensively defeated by defending champion Iga Swiatek, 6-1, 6-2, in just 79 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier. The encounter, which highlighted the gulf between the world No. 41 Briton and the four-time Roland Garros winner, ended with a notably “cold” handshake at the net, as described by BBC 5 Live commentator Annabel Croft. Raducanu’s fifth straight loss to Swiatek, without winning a set, underscored her struggles against top-tier players, while the frosty post-match interaction added intrigue to their rivalry.
Match Breakdown: Swiatek’s Dominance
Raducanu, coming off a gritty first-round win over Wang Xinyu despite illness, started competitively, earning a break point in the opening game. However, Swiatek, the “Queen of Clay,” quickly asserted control, breaking Raducanu twice to claim the first set in 35 minutes. The Pole’s heavy topspin forehand and relentless baseline pressure forced Raducanu into defensive positions, leading to 25 unforced errors compared to Swiatek’s 32 winners. In the second set, Raducanu missed three break points in a pivotal fourth game, allowing Swiatek to maintain her lead and close out the match with a backhand winner. Raducanu admitted feeling “exposed,” saying, “I just felt a bit exposed. It was a difficult one.”
The ‘Cold’ Handshake
The match concluded with a brief and tense handshake, described by Croft as “quite a cold handshake. There was no warmth there between the two players.” Croft noted it was “almost just a handshake and then a walk off,” suggesting a lack of rapport. This moment, captured in Getty Images, fueled speculation about their dynamic, with X posts noting Raducanu’s intensity seems to elevate Swiatek’s game. Swiatek’s comment that Raducanu’s game feels predictable—“There are some players that you just kind of know what you’re going to do,”—may have contributed to the chilly exchange.
Raducanu’s Perspective and Progress
Despite the thrashing, Raducanu remained resilient, stating, “I don’t feel demotivated,” and highlighting her progress since Miami. She acknowledged the gap to elite players, noting, “You just don’t really feel like there is that much space on the court, and in certain moments you overhit.” Her clay season, her first proper one since 2022, included a fourth-round run in Rome and a £98,000 first-round prize at Roland Garros. However, her 3-14 record against top-10 players and 0-5 against Swiatek highlight the work ahead. Raducanu now shifts focus to the grass season, starting at Queen’s, aiming to leverage home support at Wimbledon.
Swiatek’s Context and Form
Swiatek, ranked No. 5—her lowest Grand Slam seeding since 2022—overcame a tough year, including a one-month doping ban and personal loss, to extend her Roland Garros win streak to 23 matches. Her performance was professional rather than peak, yet sufficient to outclass Raducanu. Swiatek’s ability to adjust to windy conditions and exploit Raducanu’s backhand errors showcased her clay-court mastery. She advanced to face Sara Bejlek or Jaqueline Cristian, eyeing a historic fourth consecutive title.
Connection to Other Sports Narratives
Raducanu’s defeat mirrors the challenges faced by athletes like Jack Grealish, whose diminished role at Manchester City prompts a potential Aston Villa return, and Luke Littler, who thrives under pressure in darts. Her resilience echoes Coco Gauff’s humor amid setbacks, and Alex de Minaur’s French Open grit. The “cold” handshake parallels the competitive tension in Swiatek’s rivalry with Gauff.
Conclusion
Emma Raducanu was thrashed 6-1, 6-2 by Iga Swiatek in the French Open second round on May 28, 2025, exposing the gap between the Briton and top players. The match ended with a “cold” handshake, as noted by Annabel Croft, reflecting a lack of warmth. Despite earning £98,000 and showing clay-season progress, Raducanu’s 0-5 record against Swiatek and missed break points highlight her challenges. Like Grealish, Littler, Gauff, and de Minaur, Raducanu’s next steps focus on growth, with Wimbledon looming.
