"We have plenty of players to play against... Doesn’t matter for me" - When Iga Swiatek downplayed Emma Raducanu rivalry with controversial remark

Iga Swiatek once stirred controversy by seemingly dismissing her rivalry with Emma Raducanu. The Pole explained why she didn't put any special emphasis on her matchup with Raducanu.

Swiatek squared off against the Brit in a blockbuster quarterfinal clash at the 2024 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. The Pole delivered a stellar performance to claim a 7-6(2), 6-3 victory after a two-hour and three-minute battle, extending her perfect record against Raducanu to 3-0.

During her post-match press conference, Iga Swiatek was asked whether she "looked forward" to facing Emma Raducanu again and if she considered it a good rivalry. However, the Pole seemingly dismissed the question by saying that the matchup was more exciting for fans.

"I mean, for fans, for sure, it's nice," Swiatek said.

When pressed on whether she personally anticipated more clashes with the Brit, Swiatek emphasized that she wasn't looking forward to facing Raducanu in particular. The Pole asserted that there were numerous tough matchups on the WTA Tour, downplaying the significance of their rivalry.

"Well, I mean, we have plenty of players to play against on WTA Tour, so I wouldn’t say Emma is the one specific that I’m looking forward to play with, because we have tough matchups, you know, every week. Doesn’t really matter for me," she said.

Iga Swiatek's comments on her rivalry with Emma Raducanu sparked a discussion among tennis fans, with some perceiving her remarks as "shady" while others criticized the "stupid question."

Iga Swiatek: "Emma Raducanu's older, she has learned a lot; I would say the intensity was higher"

Emma Raducanu and Iga Swiatek - Source: Getty

During the same press conference, Iga Swiatek was asked whether she had observed any changes in Emma Raducanu's game since her 6-4, 6-4 win over the Brit at the 2022 edition of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.

Although the Pole admitted difficulty in recalling the particular encounter, she acknowledged that Raducanu had gained valuable experience over time and demonstrated a higher level of intensity.

"Well, honestly I played so many matches since then, I don't really remember how it went two years ago. I just remember I was, you know, surprised with how she can spin the ball on her forehand, because we never played before. So I never knew she's capable of that, and today I knew that," Swiatek said.

"So I wouldn't say there was much difference in that, but for sure, you know, she's older, she has learned a lot. I would say the intensity was a little bit higher, yeah," she added.

Following her win over Emma Raducanu, Iga Swiatek battled it out against Elena Rybakina in the semifinals of the WTA 500 event, suffering a 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 loss to the eventual champion.