'I was really struggling': Emma Raducanu battles illness and weight of occasion in Roland Garros rollercoaster

Britain’s young tennis star Emma Raducanu admitted that she had a hard time securing a win in the first round of the French Open 2025. The second Grand Slam of the year started on Sunday, and players from all over the world are participating to secure the ultimate prize.

Britain’s Raducanu, who was once regarded as the next big thing after winning the US Open at the age of 18 back in 2021, cemented her spot in the second round at Roland Garros after beating China’s Wang Xinyu in a three-set contest with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-3. Talking after the match, Raducanu admitted that she struggled throughout the match but was happy to come out on the right side of the result.

"I was really struggling from the start, but that's Wang Xinyu, who’s a top opponent,” he said. “She can take the racquet out of your hands. I was really flat, but I'm really happy to have kind of found a way. I think opening rounds are never easy, and I haven't been here in three years, so I think there was a combination of a lot of things. But yeah, happy to have got through at least. It was extremely important, especially when you're not feeling very energetic.

"So, I just knew I had to start well, because that would give myself the best chance to keep fighting and keep going for every point, and I managed to kind of get a good beat. I can take positives from that. A lot of top champions in the first round have saved match points, but have given themselves another opportunity in the draw, another match, despite how they’re feeling. I think that is a big positive that is not necessarily easy to teach. A shot is easier to work on, whereas I showed character, heart and fight, and I'm very proud of that."

Raducanu will now face the defending champion, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, in the second round of the competition on Wednesday. The 23-year-old defeated Rebecca Sramkova in the round of 128 in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3.