Tennis
What Next For Emma Raducanu? British Star Described As ‘Cold’ and ‘Dismissive’ In Aftermath Of French Open Exit
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished29 May 2025
Former British No. 1 Emma Raducanu has been described as ‘cold’ and ‘dismissive’ following her straight-set defeat to Iga Swiatek at the French Open.
Emma Raducanu Accused of ‘Cold’ Handshake at French Open
British tennis star Emma Raducanu was brutally eliminated from the French Open in the second round on Wednesday, suffering a fifth straight-set defeat to four-time winner Iga Swiatek on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The 2021 US Open winner was beaten 6-1, 6-2 in what she described as a ‘really difficult match’. She was unable to build on her 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 first round win over world No. 49 star Wang Xiyu.
Raducanu now has a career record of just one win and 10 defeats against the top eight ranked players.
In the aftermath of her defeat, former tennis prospect and British television personality Annabel Croft described Raducanu’s handshake with Swiatek as ‘cold’ and ‘dismissive’.
“That was quite a cold handshake. There was no warmth there between the two players. It was quite dismissive, almost just a handshake and then a walk off,” Croft told BBC Sport following their matchup.
“Once Iga Swiatek got a breakthrough in this match, she just stamped her authority on it.”
Swiatek, who is on the hunt for a fourth successive triumph at Roland-Garros this year, returns to action in the third round against Romanian challenger Jacqueline Cristian on Friday.
WATCH: Raducanu vs Swiatek French Open Highlights
How Much Has Raducanu Earned In French Open Prize Money?
Due to her second round exit, Raducanu is set to land €117,000 in French Open prize money.
Had she overcome the odds to beat Swiatek, she would’ve secured €168,000 by reaching the third round.
The tournament winner, which could well be Swiatek once more, is set to land a healthy €2,550,000 windfall.
In of ranking points, Raducanu earned 10 points for entering the main draw and 60 for beating Xiyu. A total of 70 points is expected to hand her a significant boost in the WTA rankings.
Ranked 41st in the world ahead of the tournament, she has provisionally moved up to world No. 37.
What Next For Emma Raducanu?
Raducanu will now turn her attention to the grass-court season. She is due to take part in the Queen’s Club Championships in London, which starts in less than a fortnight.
It should provide her with some good Wimbledon preparation, with the next major starting at the end of June.
The former British No. 1 also plans to play at the Berlin Tennis Open in between Monday, 16 June, and Sunday, 22 June, as well as at the Eastbourne Open in the week that follows.
“I want to go into Wimbledon having had more matches on the surface,” Raducanu said in reference to the grass-court.
“I’ve not played on the grass for a whole year so it’s something new and not much time to turn over.”