Emma Raducanu makes blame feelings clear after losing to Iga Swiatek at Australian Open
WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Emma Raducanu crashes out of Australian Open
Emma Raducanu has blamed herself following her defeat to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open on Saturday, with the Briton winning just one game as she crashed out.
The tennis star had gone into the showdown hoping to show she's got what it takes to compete with the best players on the planet.
But Raducanu was outclassed at the Rod Laver Arena, with Swiatek winning 6-1, 6-0 to advance to the third round of the competition.
Speaking in her post-match press conference, the 22-year-old said there were 'no excuses' for her flat showing - and also fronted up and accepted the blame herself.
Emma Raducanu has blamed herself following her defeat to Iga Swiatek at the Australian Open on Saturday, with the Briton winning just one game as she crashed out
REUTERS
"Three weeks ago when I was in Auckland, at the end of last year, I was doing pool rehab," she said.
"To be on a court playing matches and competing is something I have to be grateful for.
"I started hitting when I came here 18 days ago. I have to take a positive that I was able to beat two top opponents in the first two rounds.
"But I think today, no excuses of the back or physically.
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"Yeah, I didn't play well. She played very well. I think, given the preparation we had, we have to be grateful to be in this position.
"Of course, I have a lot of things to take as feedback and work on."
Raducanu's serve wasn't good enough against Swiatek and in previous rounds, too.
That's something the tennis star knows she must work on in order to climb up the world rankings and compete with the best going forward.
"I'm going to look back and be like, I learned a lot and got a lot of feedback on what I need to do better," she added.
"I think the thing I want to improve is serving. The first two matches I got away with it against two top players because I was able to defend and move, use the rest of my game.
"But I think that needs to improve."
While it was a chastening day for Raducanu, it was a positive one for Swiatek.
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Emma Raducanu on her loss to Iga Swiatek at Australian Open:
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 18, 2025
“If a top player is playing perfect, it’s gonna be a difficult match already. I just want to work on certain things and make them more consistent.”
pic.twitter.com/op5zXaf19Y
And the world No 2 was delighted with her display, saying: “I wouldn't say I'm ruthless.
“I just try to have the same kind of attitude and same kind of focus no matter what the score is.
“But it's not like I want to, you know, show something. I'm just playing my game.
"If it's working, why stop? I’ve also seen many matches when someone was back being down like 2-5 or something.
Emma Raducanu was dismantled by Iga Swiatek in their Australian Open clash on Saturday morning
REUTERS
"You always have to just keep going. It's not over till it's over.”
Swiatek will lock horns with Eva Lys on Sunday.
As for Raducanu, the tennis star will go back to the drawing board after such a disappointing setback.
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