Iga Swiatek’s ‘dismissive’ Emma Raducanu comments may have been telling
Iga Siwatek got the better of Emma Raducanu in a compelling match the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart and her post match comments have caused something of a stir.
The four-time Grand slam champion, in her 100th week on top of the ATP world rankings, prevailed 7-6(2) 6-3, but it was a hugely encouraging performance from Raducanu, who was competitive with the Polish star throughout.
Yet many observers were surprised by Swiatek’s apparent agitation when she was asked about Raducanu’s impressive performance after the match, as she appeared to suggest the 2021 US Open champion is a long way from challenging for major titles once again.
When asked whether she relished her potential rivalry with Raducanu, Swiatek dismissed the question with this response: “Well, I mean, 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, because we have tough matchups, you know, every week. Doesn’t really matter for me.”
She was also asked to compare Raducanu in 2024 with the version she played two years ago at the same event and again, she seemed less than enthused by the question.
“Well, honestly I played so many matches since then, I don’t really remember how it went two years ago,” she responded.
“I just remember I was surprised with how she can spin the ball on her forehand because we never played before. So I never knew she’s capable of that, and today I knew that.
“So I wouldn’t say there was much difference in that, but for sure, you know, she’s older, she has learned a lot. I would say the intensity was a little bit higher.”
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The comments could be seen as grudging praise for Raducanu, who is clearly playing her best tennis since winning the US Open.
Maintaining her levels and staying fit will now dicate whether she can continue her rise up the WTA rankings, with her run in Stuttgart seeing her claim an 82 place rise in the live rankings.
Swiatek’s comments also suggested she didn’t want to spend too much time talking about a rival who could become a contender once again in the coming weeks, with Raducanu encouraged by her form on clay courts despite her lack of experience on the surface.
We have like two, three clay courts in Great Britain that we can use maybe and practice on it for two weeks. Hey, let’s give it a go,” said Raducanu.
“Since a young age I always love moving on this surface. I love sliding. I feel like I’m pretty good at sliding on both legs, which is a strength.
“I think the fitter I get and the more clean my technique gets, the more I’m able to kind of stay in the longer points and generate from further back, whereas I feel maybe before I was having to hug the baseline, play a hard court game on clay as well.
“It works sometimes, but it doesn’t always work. I feel like I’m developing more versatility in the way I play. I can adjust. I can adapt.
“That’s a big strength, because, yeah, certain things, I would say, you get into a match and they don’t work from the initial plan, so you have to change something. You can completely switch the dynamics of a match sometimes. Not all the time, but yeah, it just helps with that.”
She might not have beaten a player in the top 10 of the WTA Rankings yet in her career, but the level of tennis Raducanu has shown over her last few matches suggests she may not be far away from that breakthrough victory.
In addition, Raducanu may view Swiatek’s reluctance to discuss her revival as evidence that she is putting seeds of doubt into the minds of the game’s biggest winners.
