Emma Raducanu is officially back to making Slam statements.
In a tense, seesaw battle on the red clay of Paris, Raducanu defeated China’s Wang Xinyu 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 to advance to the second round of Roland Garros. The win marks her first victory at the French Open since 2022 and only her second-ever main draw appearance at the tournament. And with it, Raducanu may have just sent a powerful reminder to the tennis world: she’s back—and she means business.
The match was anything but straightforward. Raducanu, who has been playing her best tennis since that magical U.S. Open title run in 2021, had to dig deep after narrowly taking the opening set and then dropping the second. Wang pushed her to the limit, but it was the Brit’s composure and improved court coverage that made the difference in the final stretch.
This win holds significant weight—not just because it’s on her least favorite surface, but because it proves she can grind, adjust, and conquer high-pressure moments again on the biggest stage. There were questions swirling about her return from injuries, and her inconsistent form through 2023. But today’s gritty win was proof of renewed resilience, patience, and physical sharpness.
Her performance was peppered with vintage Raducanu moments: laser-precise backhands down the line, clever court changes, and a visible calmness under pressure that we hadn’t consistently seen in quite some time. Gone were the rushed errors and hesitation; in their place stood a more seasoned and battle-tested competitor.
Raducanu’s win also ends a long drought at Roland Garros. Since her breakout, she’s struggled to make a significant mark on clay—but this year feels different. She’s playing freer, smiling more, and tactically smarter. Many observers noted that she’s showing the same hunger and confidence that carried her through the U.S. Open in 2021—except now, there’s more maturity and match toughness in the mix.
The victory pushes her into Round 2, but more importantly, it sets the tone for what could be a deep and inspiring Roland Garros run. With several top seeds struggling, Raducanu’s draw opens up with opportunity. And if she continues this upward trajectory, there’s no reason she can’t go toe-to-toe with the very best.
“Crazy to think this is only her second appearance here,” one fan noted on social media. “She’s been through so much. But she’s finally moving like a Slam contender again.”
Raducanu’s journey hasn’t been linear, but this Roland Garros may just be the stage where she completes her full-circle comeback.