Emma Raducanu has revealed she was battling illness as she approached her crucial second-round clash at the French Open against defending champion Iga Swiatek.
The 22-year-old was leading 6-5 in the first set against China's Wang Xinyu when she called the doctor, applying ice packs to her cheeks and around her eyes while her blood pressure was taken.
There were concerns that Raducan, who has dealt with injuries and ailments throughout her career, might have to withdraw from the match.
However, after three minutes of assistance, she returned to the court and confidently finished the set.
Wang rallied to win the second set, but in front of thousands on the compact Court 8, Raducanu countered and won the decisive match 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 44 minutes – the longest match of her clay career.
Raducanu, who came to the tournament with back problems, said: “I'm really proud of today's match, more than many others I've played recently, or in general, because I woke up and, frankly, I felt really bad.”
“I wasn't feeling well this morning. I was just trying and fighting it. It was really tough.
“You know, in the first set I immediately felt it, and it didn’t go away throughout the entire match.
“Having gotten through that and dealt with what I was feeling, I’m really happy and I didn’t let it, you know… it would have been easy to let it affect me negatively.
“I don't know why I had a hard time today. I just haven't been feeling well for the last few days.
“I think I'm dealing with some of the difficulties. I'm glad I can get some rest and hopefully recover before the match on Wednesday.”
She will certainly need to be in top form when she faces Swiatek, who thrashed Raducana 6-0, 6-1 in just an hour and 10 minutes at the Australian Open.
“I think Iga always plays a great game when we meet,” the 2021 US Open champion added.
“I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing with her again. I think I've made a lot of progress in my game and my mentality in general over the last month.”
“I think this time, yes, it's great. I'll have the opportunity to play with the best players in the world and I'm looking forward to playing on a big court, probably, too.”
Four-time champion Swiatek earlier extended her winning streak at the French Open to 22 matches when the world No. 5 from Poland defeated Rebecca Sramkova of Slovakia 6-3, 6-3.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
