Emma Raducanu has admitted that she felt 'uncomfortable' during her defeat to Iga Swiatek at the French Open on Wednesday.
The Briton went into their showdown in Paris hoping to secure victory as she chased a first Grand Slam triumph since her memorable win at the US Open back in 2021.
However, Raducanu was comprehensively outplayed by Swiatek - with the defending champion winning 6-1, 6-2 as she secured victory.
It was a chastening day at the office for Raducanu, who had beaten Wang Xinyu earlier in the week.
Emma Raducanu has admitted that she felt 'uncomfortable' during her defeat to Iga Swiatek at the French Open on Wednesday
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And the 22-year-old has now admitted that she felt 'uncomfortable' during the match, but would still be taking her defeat on the chin.
“I think Iga played really well today. I think every time we have played she plays really well,” stated the British No 2.
“It kind of puts really a lot of pressure on from the beginning, makes me feel like I have to maybe do something extra or I just don’t know what to do in the moment.
“I think it does shift the dynamics of the match a bit, and then it’s very difficult to kind of stay with her as she grows in confidence.
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Emma Raducanu won just one match at the French Open this year
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“But it just shows, I guess, the distance that I have to improve.”
She continued: “It was the first time playing a match on that court [the Chatrier]. It’s also different when it’s filled and it’s got everything around. You do feel like it’s a big court. It’s … new for me.
“It’s a surrounding that she’s obviously very comfortable with and she’s played in it a lot of times.
"I think that did emphasise me feeling a bit uncomfortable. But it’s a good experience for if I ever play on that court again.”
Emma Raducanu failed to cause Iga Swiatek any issues as she crashed out of the French Open
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Raducanu won't have too long to wait as she looks to bounce back.
The tennis star is set to turn her attentions to the grass-court season, with Wimbledon set to commence in July.
Tim Henman, meanwhile, has told Tennis365 that Raducanu's defeat shows what she's up against as she looks to climb up the world rankings and become a force once again.
“She has just gone up against the best clay court player of her generation and she was overpowered, that’s fair to say,” said Henman.
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“Swiatek is a four-time champion here. She is one of the greatest clay court players of all time. There is the bar Raducanu and the rest have to get to.
“Emma has a great game, but it is almost as if Swiatek has an extra gear. She has extra power on both wings, her movement in and out of corners is a bit better.
“That’s a lesson she learned. Emma is the kind of person who will embrace the challenge in front of her and try and find the solutions.
“She can take a lot of positives out of the clay season. She was moving in the right direction on clay and she has had some success on this surface in recent weeks. Now she can go away and work out how she can get better.”
Swiatek, meanwhile, will lock horns with Jaqueline Cristian on Friday.
Cristian has beaten Kimberly Birrell and Sara Bejlek at Roland Garros so far.
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