Iga Swiatek Lifts Lid on New Mentality After Demolishing Emma Raducanu at Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek has not yet lifted a title since winning her fourth French Open title last year by beating Jasmine Paolini.

Iga Swiatek Lifts Lid on New Mentality After Demolishing Emma Raducanu at Roland Garros

Iga Swiatek, Emma Raducanu (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, We Are Tennis)

Iga Swiatek is back in a tournament where she has tasted the most success- the French Open. She didn’t have to toil hard to win her first and second-round matches.

Against Rebecca Sramkova, Swiatek clinched the win with a 6-3, 6-3 scoreline. Emma Raducanu too was no match for the greatest clay-court player on the WTA Tour of this generation, losing the match with a 6-1, 6-2 scoreline.

Swiatek is chasing her first title of the season as she hasn’t yet lifted a trophy since clinching her fourth French Open title last year. Many believe the doping saga is the real culprit behind her drop in form.

This season, Swiatek, except for the Italian Open (lost to Danielle Collins in the third round), reached every quarterfinal but the last singles final she played was in last year’s French Open. Swiatek, after her victory over Raducanu, talked about her new mentality. She said she has dealt with different types of feelings whenever she steps on the court.

Sometimes I felt super confident, and all, and sometimes lacked energy, you know. Honestly, that happens sometimes; not every day will be the same. Yes, this is a completely different tournament. I also wanted to take advantage of the time before to work on some things and, as I said, change my mindset a bit, be more present, and fight for everything.

Iga Swiatek said at the press conference

On the clay swing before the French Open, the Pole lost to Jelena Ostapenko in the quarterfinals, to eventual runner-up Coco Gauff in the semifinals of the Madrid Open, and to Collins in Rome. She was the defending champion in Madrid and Rome.

Emma Raducanu makes her feelings known about playing Iga Swiatek on Philippe-Chatrier

Before this season, Emma Raduncau had never played on Court Philippe-Chatrier. This was her second appearance in the tournament after her debut in 2022 where she knocked out Linda Noskova and lost to Aliaksandra Sasnovich in the second round.

Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek (via X/LTA/Roland Garros)
Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek (via X/LTA/Roland Garros)

Those two matches were scheduled on Court Simonne-Mathieu and Court Suzanne Lenglen, respectively. After her Roland Garros exit, Raducanu admitted that playing on Chatrier against Iga Swiatek made her feel uncomfortable.

It was my 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’s a big court. 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 emphasize me feeling a bit uncomfortable.

Emma Raducanu said at the press conference

Raducanu hasn’t yet lifted a title since winning the 2021 US Open and also has not yet progressed to the final. Her best performance since that fairytale run came at this year’s Miami Open where she lost to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinal.

Iga Swiatek to meet Jaqueline Cristian in the third round

Swiatek extended her winning streak to 23 matches after beating Raducanu. The last time she suffered defeat in the clay-court Major was in the quarterfinals in 2021 against Maria Sakkari.

Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

Swiatek will now be hoping to extend her winning streak by beating her third-round opponent Jaqueline Cristian. The Romanian tennis ace, before setting up the clash with the five-time Grand Slam champion, knocked out Kimberly Birrell and Sara Bejlek. The upcoming match will be their first meeting on the tour.

If Swiatek reaches the the quarterfinal, she could meet last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini. In the semifinal, she could meet World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, while in the final, she could meet Coco Gauff or Mirra Andreeva.

Also read: Joao Fonseca Honors ‘Legend’ Gustavo Kuerten After Commanding Opening Round win at Roland Garros