Emma Raducanu Shocks Tennis World With Stunning Grand Slam Comeback – Highlights & What’s Next

Emma Raducanu’s Paris resurgence faces its sternest test on Wednesday afternoon when the 22-year-old Briton meets world No 1 Iga Świątek in a blockbuster French Open 2025 second-round clash on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Reborn on clay After back-to-back wins in Madrid and Rome qualifying, Raducanu has pieced together her most convincing clay-court swing, rediscovering the early-strike forehand that powered her 2021 US Open title run. Her gritty 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory over China’s Wang Xinyu in round one showcased new physical resilience: she required a courtside medical check for dizziness yet still surged from 1-5 down in the second set to close out the decider with 17 winners in the final eight games. Mind-over-body approach Raducanu admitted she “felt really sick” on match morning but credited a lighter training schedule, acupuncture to ease back spasms, and “being kinder” to herself for the turnaround. Conquering a lifelong fear of needles has been part of that process, she revealed to the BBC last week. Świątek obstacle Świątek, chasing an Open-era record fourth straight Roland Garros crown, dismissed Rebecca Šramková 6-3 6-3 in her opener and owns a 3-0 head-to-head against Raducanu. Yet the Pole warned she expects “a fearless opponent who already knows how to win Slams,” setting the stage for a potential upset narrative. What time is Raducanu vs Świątek? • Order of play: third match on Chatrier, not before 2:30 pm local (1:30 pm BST / 8:30 am ET) on 28 May. • UK broadcast: TNT Sports and Discovery+ carry live coverage. Keys to an upset 1. First-strike tennis: Raducanu averaged 128 km/h off the forehand wing against Wang; anything below 120 invites Świątek’s counterpunching. 2. Serve variety: 68 % first-serve points won on kick-serve placement rather than flat power hinted at a useful pattern against the Pole’s deep return stance. 3. Stay on the baseline: Świątek wins 72 % of rallies extending beyond nine shots this season; Raducanu must shorten exchanges with aggressive red-clay court positioning. Coaching carousel continues The Briton arrived in Paris with seasoned clay specialist Antonio van Grichen—her sixth coaching voice in three years—after a short stint with former LTA performance chief Tim Henman’s consultancy team was shelved earlier this spring. Early signs suggest the partnership is clicking: Raducanu produced 34 net approaches in round one, more than any match since 2022. Grass-court implications Whatever the result, Raducanu has already accepted a wild card for the Lexus Eastbourne Open and confirmed her intent to play both Nottingham and Birmingham ahead of Wimbledon, where ranking points from her 2021 triumph finally fall off the computer in July. A deep Roland Garros run would propel her back inside the top 50 and guarantee main-draw status for SW19. Quote of the day “It’s a free swing,” Raducanu told reporters. “If I just push the ball I’ll get eaten, so I’m going to hit—and whatever happens, happens.” Bottom line Świątek remains the overwhelming favourite, but Raducanu’s revitalised game, renewed health and nothing-to-lose mindset make this a must-watch showdown that could redefine the Briton’s 2025 season—and reignite British hopes at Roland Garros.