Paris, May 28, 2025 — Iga Swiatek kicked off her French Open title defense with a composed 6-3, 6-3 victory over Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova, extending her Roland Garros winning streak to 22 matches. The 23-year-old Polish star, inspired by a tearful tribute to Rafael Nadal on Sunday, now sets her sights on a blockbuster second-round clash against Britain’s Emma Raducanu.
Swiatek, a four-time French Open champion, may have slipped to No. 5 in the WTA rankings and endured a slow start to the 2025 season, but the magic of Paris still seems to unlock her best tennis.
Nadal Tribute Sparks Swiatek’s Fire
Swiatek was visibly emotional as she joined fellow champion Carlos Alcaraz in the stands during Nadal’s farewell ceremony at Roland Garros, where the 14-time champion was honored for his legendary legacy.
“Seeing Rafa cry made me emotional too,” Swiatek said after her match. “Even just his presence here gives me inspiration. He’s done so much for the sport, and for players like me, he’s been a guiding light. I really wanted to channel some of that energy out there.”
That energy carried her through a slightly rocky opening, where she was broken early in the second set but quickly regrouped to reel off three straight games and secure the win.
Swiatek’s Next Test: Raducanu’s Redemption
Swiatek will now face 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, who battled past Wang Xinyu in a three-set thriller despite feeling under the weather. The British star, returning to the French Open for the first time since 2022, sees the matchup as a chance to measure her progress.
“I’ve made big strides mentally and physically,” Raducanu said. “Getting another crack at someone like Iga is a great challenge. There’s no pressure on me—just opportunity.”
Their last encounter ended in a lopsided 6-0, 6-1 defeat for Raducanu at the Australian Open earlier this year. But with Swiatek not yet hitting her peak form in 2025, some believe an upset might be possible.
Is Swiatek Still the Favorite?
Despite her early struggles this season and lack of titles in 2025, Swiatek remains the woman to beat at Roland Garros. She has dominated the clay court major since her breakthrough in 2020, and no active player comes close to matching her confidence on the surface.
“She hasn’t been flawless this year, but in Paris, she becomes a different player,” said former British No. 1 Tim Henman. “If Raducanu wants to cause an upset, she’ll need to play with total aggression and freedom—which is tough to do on this surface.”
What’s at Stake?
Swiatek is aiming to win a fifth French Open title in six years, which would cement her as one of the greatest clay court players of the modern era. With Nadal stepping away and the women’s field wide open, 2025 could be a defining chapter in Swiatek’s already stellar career.