Emma Raducanu came into Roland Garros with hopes of making a deeper run and maybe closing the gap between herself and the sport’s top stars.
But once again, Iga Swiatek reminded her—and the tennis world—just how wide that gap still is.
In their second Grand Slam face-off of the season, Raducanu was handed a swift exit by the world No. 1, losing 6-1, 6-2 in the second round of the French Open.
It was a bit better than their last meeting at the Australian Open, which ended 6-1, 6-0—but not by much.
The Swiatek Challenge: Still a Mountain to Climb
Facing Swiatek has become an all-too-familiar and frustrating storyline for Raducanu.
She’s now lost all five of their encounters and hasn’t managed to win a single set.
Before the match, Raducanu spoke optimistically about closing the gap between herself and players like Swiatek.
But after another one-sided match, the harsh truth is that she might need more than just time and confidence—she needs weapons that can truly trouble the very best.
Overpowered and Outpaced
The problem for Raducanu wasn’t effort—it was firepower.
She’s technically clean, has great timing, and can strike a ball beautifully when she’s in control.
But Swiatek doesn’t let her—or many players, for that matter—play on their own terms.
From the start of each rally, the defending champion pinned Raducanu behind the baseline.
Once Swiatek gets her opponent on the back foot, it’s usually just a matter of which wing delivers the knockout blow—forehand or backhand.
Swiatek’s Form: Not Perfect, But Still Formidable
To be fair, Swiatek isn’t at her most invincible right now.
She’s not dominating as effortlessly as in past seasons, and she hasn’t claimed a title since winning the French Open last year.
Big hitters like Madison Keys, Danielle Collins, and Jelena Ostapenko have found ways to beat her this season.
But even a slightly off-form Swiatek remains a serious challenge—especially for a player like Raducanu, who’s still developing her power game.
Adjustments Made… But Not Enough
Raducanu’s team, led by coach and broadcaster Mark Petchey, has been trying to close the gap through tweaks in equipment—adjusting string tension and adding weight to her racket.
These are positive steps, but small changes won’t magically level the playing field against someone like Swiatek.
Petchey, who was courtside for this match after doing TV duty for Raducanu’s first-round win, looked on as his player struggled once again.
It’s hard to see what tactical switch or strategy would’ve made a significant difference this time around.
What Could Have Been Tried?
If power wasn’t going to win it, maybe creativity could have.
Raducanu has some variety in her game—particularly a solid slice backhand—but she didn’t use it often or effectively.
An early drop shot landed in the net and then the tactic disappeared altogether.
Perhaps mixing it up more could’ve disrupted Swiatek’s rhythm, but we’ll never know.
Swiatek Marches On
Despite her recent ups and downs, Swiatek seems to be settling in.
After an early loss in Rome, she admitted she wasn’t feeling confident about her chances in Paris, saying: “It would be stupid to expect a lot since I’m not able to play my game.”
Yet here she is, looking sharper with each round.
Still, sterner tests await.
One name that looms large is Jelena Ostapenko—a player who’s beaten Swiatek six times without a single loss.
A potential fourth-round clash between them would be a real litmus test.
What’s Next for Raducanu?
So where does Emma go from here?
She’s clearly committed, she’s working hard, and she still has huge potential. But against the very best, that’s not always enough.
To break through, she’ll need to find ways to add both power and unpredictability to her game.
This match may have ended in defeat, but every loss comes with a lesson.
Whether Raducanu and her team can turn these lessons into real progress—well, that’s what we’ll be watching for in the months ahead.