In a gripping second-round clash at the French Open on May 29, 2025, Emma Raducanu faced a formidable challenge against four-time champion Iga Swiatek on the hallowed clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 22-year-old British star, once hailed as the 2021 US Open champion, was overwhelmed in a swift 79-minute defeat, falling 6-1, 6-2 to the Polish powerhouse. The match, however, was overshadowed by a post-match moment that sparked debate—a handshake described as “cold” and “dismissive” by former British tennis star Annabel Croft, who noted, “That was quite a cold handshake. There was no warmth there between the two players. It was quite dismissive, almost just a handshake and then a walk off.”
The encounter began with glimmers of hope for Raducanu, who showed early fight by earning a break point in the opening game after a Swiatek double fault. A spirited “C’mon!” echoed from Raducanu as she nailed a forehand winner, but Swiatek, the undisputed “Queen of Clay,” quickly asserted her dominance. With 31 winners to Raducanu’s eight, Swiatek’s relentless groundstrokes and clinical precision dismantled the Briton’s defenses. “Once Iga Swiatek got a breakthrough in this match, she just stamped her authority on it,” Croft observed, capturing the Pole’s ability to seize control. By the time Swiatek fired an ace to claim the first set in 35 minutes, Raducanu’s challenge was fading.
Raducanu, ranked No. 47, has shown flashes of brilliance in 2025, including a quarter-final run at the Miami Open and a gritty first-round win over Wang Xinyu at Roland Garros despite illness. Yet, against Swiatek, the gulf in class was stark. The world No. 5, chasing a fourth consecutive French Open title, extended her Roland Garros winning streak to 23 matches. Raducanu’s failure to convert any of her four break points underscored her struggles against elite opponents, with this defeat marking her fifth straight loss to Swiatek without winning a set. “It was a really difficult match. Iga played really well,” Raducanu admitted. “As it went on, I think she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed.”
The post-match handshake drew attention for its lack of warmth, a moment that seemed to reflect the match’s one-sided nature. Raducanu, visibly depleted, offered a brief shake before turning away, a gesture Croft described as lacking camaraderie. This wasn’t the first time their interactions raised eyebrows. Earlier in 2025, Raducanu faced criticism for liking a social media post mocking Swiatek’s tactics at the Australian Open, where the Pole had routed her 6-1, 6-0. Swiatek, in turn, has downplayed talk of a rivalry, once stating, “We have plenty of players to play against on WTA Tour, so I wouldn’t say Emma is the one specific that I’m looking forward to play with.”
Under the guidance of new coach Mark Petchey, Raducanu has made strides on clay, with technical adjustments like adding weight to her racquet and refining her serve. Petchey, who missed her first-round match due to commentary commitments, emphasized her potential: “Emma, at this stage of her career, despite what she’s already achieved, has some work ahead of her to be the best player that she can be.” Yet, facing Swiatek on her favorite surface proved a bridge too far. “I think every time we have played, she plays really well,” Raducanu reflected. “It kind of puts a lot of pressure on from the beginning, makes me feel like I have to maybe do something extra.”
Swiatek, despite a turbulent 2024 marked by a one-month doping ban and personal loss, remains a clay-court colossus. Her 6-2, 6-3 win over Rebecca Sramkova in the first round set the tone for her campaign, and she dismissed notions of ruthlessness in her approach: “I just try to have the same kind of attitude and same kind of focus no matter what the score is.” For Raducanu, the defeat highlighted the distance to the sport’s pinnacle. “It just shows, I guess, the distance that I have to improve,” she said, acknowledging the steep climb ahead.
As Swiatek marches toward another potential title, Raducanu’s focus shifts to the grass season, with Queen’s and Wimbledon on the horizon. Her resilience, shown in overcoming illness to reach the second round, offers hope, but the French Open served as a humbling reminder of the elite level she aspires to reclaim. The frosty handshake may fade from memory, but Raducanu’s determination to bridge the gap to players like Swiatek burns bright, setting the stage for her next chapter.
# Emma Raducanu Falls to Iga Swiatek in French Open with Tense Handshake
## Match Summary
On May 29, 2025, Emma Raducanu suffered a 6-1, 6-2 defeat to Iga Swiatek in the French Open second round at Court Philippe-Chatrier. The 79-minute match saw Swiatek, the four-time champion, dominate with 31 winners, extending her Roland Garros streak to 23 matches. Raducanu, unable to convert four break points, admitted, “It was a really difficult match. Iga played really well. I just felt a bit exposed.”
## Key Moments
Raducanu showed early promise, earning a break point with a forehand winner, but Swiatek’s relentless pressure prevailed. “Once Iga Swiatek got a breakthrough in this match, she just stamped her authority on it,” said Annabel Croft. Swiatek sealed the first set with an ace and broke Raducanu repeatedly in the second. The post-match handshake was notably brief, with Croft noting, “That was quite a cold handshake. There was no warmth there between the two players. It was quite dismissive.”
## Raducanu’s Challenges
Ranked No. 47, Raducanu has improved on clay under coach Mark Petchey, who adjusted her racquet and serve. “Emma, at this stage of her career, has some work ahead of her to be the best player that she can be,” Petchey said. Despite a gritty first-round win, Raducanu’s 0-5 record against Swiatek highlights the gap to the elite. “It just shows the distance that I have to improve,” she reflected.
## Swiatek’s Dominance
Swiatek, despite a 2024 doping ban, remains the “Queen of Clay.” Her focus, she said, is unwavering: “I just try to have the same kind of attitude and same kind of focus no matter what the score is.” Her win sets up her pursuit of a fourth straight French Open title, while Raducanu looks to regroup for the grass season.
Leave a Reply