Laura Robson explains lack of British players at French Open, how to beat Iga Swiatek, and women's tennis' big three

Published 27/05/2023 at 19:38 GMT

Eurosport analyst Laura Robson envisions a promising path ahead for British female players, despite the absence of any Brits in the women's category of the French Open. This marks the first time since the 2009 US Open where a Grand Slam event will not feature a single British woman. Emma Raducanu, the highest-ranked British female player, is unable to participate due to ankle and wrist injuries.

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Eurosport expert Laura Robson sees a bright future for British women despite the fact that there will be no Brits in the women’s draw for the French Open.

It is the first time that a Grand Slam will not be graced by a single British woman since the 2009 US Open.

Emma Raducanu, Britain’s top-ranked woman, is sidelined with ankle and wrist injuries, while Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart and Fran Jones were all knocked out in the qualifying rounds at Roland-Garros.

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Robson, having retired from the game in 2022, sees plenty of reason for optimism.

She said: “I think honestly, it's pretty unlucky.”

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The former World No. 27 cited 23-year-old Jodie Burrage, rising in the world rankings and in career-best form. Robson explained: “Really, really frustrating with the timing of her injury that she picked up because she was playing her best tennis. She was really high on confidence and is now having to take a couple of weeks off with an elbow issue.”

Not only does Robson consider British women’s tennis to be in good hands, she sees a significant swing as potentially imminent.

She said: “I don't think there's anything to worry about in women's British tennis. It could just as easily change in the next couple of months because Katie Swan, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Jody and then Heather Watson, of course, they've all been good enough in the past and absolutely can be good enough again.”

Doubling down on her perspective, Robson went on: “I just named four or five people who are very capable of being in the top 100. Very capable.”

Robson moved beyond British players when asked to consider whether women’s tennis has a “big three.”

The trio consistently listed under that headline are Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.

Robson was unequivocal: “I think there's a big three in women's tennis at the moment. Absolutely. So consistently great week in week out that it's hard to root against them. You just now expect them to make semis, make finals and they're really pushing each other on.”

Approaching the French Open, Robson expects the star trio to shine: “I kind of feel like in a way I was expecting more of an open draw coming into this event if you'd asked me six months ago, but with the way that they've been playing, I think we have to call it a big three.”

The debate over the big three concept may continue to rage, but there’s little question over who is the player at the top of the list. That is Poland’s Iga Swiatek.

Robson never faced Swiatek as a player, but has analysed the world No. 1 as a pundit since retiring.

She admitted first, that the Polish star has few weaknesses: “If it was that easy, more people could do it. I think, you know, you've got to play very well over several hours because she is just such a great performer. She's such a good front runner.”

Robson continued, explaining that Swiatek is unrelenting: “It doesn't matter what the score line is. If it's six-love, five-love, she will still be just as intense on every point, and that's what makes her so difficult to beat.”

For Robson, the cracks are few and far between but she did have one piece of advice for anyone looking to come at Swiatek.

She said: “I think you just have to try and take advantage of her second serve and look for the opportunities when they come your way. But she's not going to give you very many.”

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