Tennis Roundup: Swiatek Stands Out in Cancun While Raducanu Returns to Action

World No. 2 Iga Swiatek inadvertently became the center of attention during the pre-tournament festivities for the WTA Finals in Cancun, and it wasn’t just due to her ranking. During the official draw ceremony and photo shoot, the 22-year-old appeared in a striking, long-sleeved red dress featuring an open-back design and floral appliqué by Polish designer Magda Butrym. The bold look was particularly conspicuous because the other seven elite competitors had all opted for white ensembles, leading fans to speculate that Swiatek had missed a memo.

However, the Polish star clarified that the fashion statement was actually the result of a miscommunication rather than an act of rebellion. Speaking with the Tennis Channel, Swiatek explained that she had selected the dress months in advance. When the WTA initially emailed the players suggesting an all-white dress code, Swiatek pushed back, jokingly asking if they were “getting married.” The organization quickly replied that the rule was not mandatory, giving players the freedom to wear what they wanted. Swiatek assumed the other players had received the same update, but upon arriving, she realized she was the only one who veered from the original theme. Despite the mix-up, she embraced the look, noting its “Mexican vibe” and expressing pride in showcasing a designer from her home country.

Swiatek’s Strong Start

Putting fashion aside, Swiatek handled business on the court during the round-robin stage. She secured a solid opening victory against Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, rallying from a 2-5 deficit in the first set to win 7-6 (3), 6-0. Sitting at No. 2 in the Chetumal Group, she is now preparing for a high-stakes matchup against the No. 3 seed, Coco Gauff, who is coming off a dominant performance against Ons Jabeur.

Raducanu’s Rocky Return at the United Cup

Meanwhile, at the United Cup 2026, Emma Raducanu made her much-anticipated return to the court, though it wasn’t without its awkward moments. During her match, cameras caught a humorous interaction involving her coach, Francisco Roig. Raducanu appeared confused by Roig’s instructions and offered a counter-proposal, prompting British team captain Tim Henman to intervene and clarify that the coach’s original point was exactly what she was suggesting. While the communication chemistry may still be a work in progress, the primary concern for the 2021 US Open champion remains her physical condition.

Limited Prep Time

Following her loss to Maria Sakkari, Raducanu revealed just how little preparation she had leading into the tournament. The British star admitted she had only resumed hitting balls two weeks prior to the event, having spent the previous two months focusing solely on fitness. She noted the difficulty of transitioning from gym work to the unpredictable nature of tennis practice. Despite the defeat and the lack of court time, Raducanu expressed satisfaction with her performance level, viewing the match against a top-tier opponent like Sakkari as a positive baseline as she looks to increase her training load for the season ahead.