ROLAND GARROS

May 28, 2025

Emma Raducanu

Press Conference

I. SWIATEK/E. Raducanu

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Emma, obviously a tough, tough battle out there today. Can you just give us your thoughts on the match?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it was a really difficult match. Iga played really well. Yeah, it was tough. I think in the beginning of the match it was pretty tight. As it went on I think she grew in confidence. I just felt a bit exposed. So yeah, it was a difficult one.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. You spoke about switching courts and playing on Chatrier the first time. Was that part of it, as well? You mentioned, that word 'exposed'? Maybe the venue you are playing in...

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think -- well, it was the first time playing a match on that court. And it's, like, also different when it's, like, filled and it's got everything around. You do feel like it is a big court. And it's different and 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 of uncomfortable. But it's a good experience for if I ever play on that court again.

Q. You mentioned how well Iga was playing. Just how tough is that then to counter that when she's playing at such a high level? What does she make you do? Does she make you overhit, go for too much, things like that?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, it's difficult. Like, you just don't really feel like there is that much space on the court, and certain moments you overhit, because yeah, you just feel constant pressure. I definitely think, like, I can improve certain areas of my game to maybe make me feel like I have less holes.

Yeah, I'm just going to try my best to work on that.

Q. You mentioned Monday that you felt Iga was always fired up when she plays you. Did you feel that before the match today? How does that make you feel that one of the world's very best has got that mentality to play against you?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think Iga played really well today. Yeah, I think every time we have played she plays really well. It kind of puts really a lot of pressure on from the beginning, makes me feel like I have to maybe do something extra or I just don't know what to do in the moment.

I think it does, like, shift the dynamics of the match a bit, and then it's very difficult to kind of stay with her as she grows in confidence.

But, yeah, it just shows, I guess, the distance that I have to improve.

Q. On the clay season, what are the main things you will take away from it, positives and things you want to work on?

EMMA RADUCANU: I think there were positives in the sense that, like, I won a few matches on the surface. It's probably my first proper clay court season I've had and played through. And, like, my last one was really in 2022, so it's been a long time since.

Yeah, I guess I'm pretty happy with, like, considering at the beginning I felt really uncomfortable moving. I felt better. But I guess, like, against the top in the world, I still have a long way to go, and it just highlights that.

Q. Ahead of the match, you said facing Iga here especially is quite a good test of where your game is at. Now you have had that experience, I'm curious how you feel your game is, especially now you're moving on to a surface that you prefer?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's difficult to kind of measure where you feel like after today's match, because it was so one way and so one sided. I guess when Iga is playing well on a court that she's very familiar with, yeah, the difference is huge.

But I guess, like, that just means I need to work on it and try and improve it as best as possible. Looking forward to getting on the grass.

Q. You spoke earlier in the week about this idea of bridging the gap to these top players. How do you think you go about doing that? What are some of the areas in your game or other areas that you think you need to improve to try and push these players at the very, very highest level, the Cocos and the Igas?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think I have done a pretty good job of staying with and getting some good wins over players, you know, not like in the top 10. But there is a big difference as you go up into the top 5 and then playing, like, slam champions, it is a completely different ball game.

I think there are certain elements of my game I really feel like I need to improve, but I don't necessarily want to go into detail here (smiling) and broadcast it to everyone.

But I definitely know that. I'm going to take it back to the team. But at the same time I feel like I have really worked on my forehand and it's become more and more of a weapon. Especially on clay actually, it has maybe helped, because I have a bit more time to set up and do a bit more and get it to jump.

I think in that way, the clay has actually helped me develop that as a weapon. So it will be interesting to see on the grass, where it is very different and a lot lower, if it will be as good. Yeah, have the other elements kind of transition on to the grass. It's pretty quick turnover.

Q. Do you think that demonstration how much you need to improve, that will motivate you? There are some people who could get demoralized, but do you think that would be a motivation?

EMMA RADUCANU: Well, straight after the match, it's difficult to want to hit the practice courts hard tomorrow.

But yeah, I think, like, with tennis, certain points here and there, like in the first set, if you get one of those breaks, it could be, could stay with her, could be a different dynamic of the match. And I think, yeah, there are certain things I just know I need to do better. Against the top players, I can't hide away from that.

I don't feel demotivated. I feel like since Miami I have really started building some momentum compared to where I came from at the start of the year and it makes me just want to keep going after a couple days off and then get on the grass.

Q. Obviously clay court is Iga's home court, more or less, but you're going back to grass now. How confident are you on grass, and do you think this is more, like, your surface you can thrive on?

EMMA RADUCANU: Yeah, I think it's quite interesting the stereotype in terms of Brits don't really train on grass all year round. But we train on grass I'd say as much as anyone else does for the season.

But I do feel comfortable obviously being at home and having that environment around me. Last year I had a great season, and I'm looking forward to kind of being in the same environment, being at home, having the home support.

Yeah, I think all of us really thrive in that environment, and yeah, it's just a really healthy and a happy time.