“I’ll be ready” – Swiatek on upcoming Raducanu clash
The Pole has won all four of the previous meetings between the two players
Iga Swiatek and Emma Raducanu, Australian Open 2025
Image Credit: Zuma / Psnewz
Four-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek says she is ready for her much-anticipated second round clash against former US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the second round in Paris later this week.
The two players have met each other four times in the past, with the Pole winning all of them in straight sets. This is also the second straight Grand Slam that they pair are facing off after the Australian Open in January.
But Swiatek, who won her first round match in straight sets but comes into the event without having reached a final since her triumph here 12 months ago, is not taking anything for granted.
“We played already couple of times, and we know each other’s game. For sure I will need to be intense and focus on myself. For sure she’s a great player and has, you know, great forehand. She can use her topspin pretty well. She won the US Open. She can play great tennis, you know. I’ll be ready,” Swiatek said.
I think it’s a match for me where I can really test and challenge myself.
Raducanu, who needed three sets to win her first round match over Xinyu Wang and is ranked 41st in the world, sees her clash against Swiatek as an opportunity to challenge herself.
“I think it’s a match for me where I can really test and challenge myself. I think exposure to the top players is great for where I’m at for my development. I think especially on clay, it’s her preferred tournament probably, surface. She’s won it four times. It’s a match where I can go out and test really just myself and go for my shots, because I know if I just push the ball, I’m probably going to get eaten. I need to hit the ball. I’m looking forward to that challenge,” she said.
The Brit is not paying too much attention to Swiatek’s recent struggles and knows that the Pole will be playing at a high level, as she has in all their previous clashes.
“Every week is fresh. She came through pretty comfortably today, I think feeling good. I think for the Slams it’s also completely different for those top players. They really kind of turn it on in the weeks that really matter. She’s a great opponent. I’m not expecting any wavering of level. Given the last times we have played, she’s been on every single time. I think it’s going to be a really, really difficult match.”
