In her latest column, Gigi Salmon shares insights from sitting next to Jack Draper, highlighting how the British No. 1 is progressing to the next level. She also covers Emma Raducanu`s encouraging performances on clay, Iga Swiatek`s recent dip in form, and the reasons behind Novak Djokovic`s apparent unease.
Off the court, major talking points from Madrid and Rome included a widespread power cut affecting Spain, Portugal, and parts of France, and the curious mid-match announcement in Rome of a new Pope, Leo XIV.
Regarding the tennis, many expected top players to easily navigate the clay season ahead of the French Open, which begins soon. However, their unexpected faltering has made predicting winners in both the men`s and women`s draws unusually challenging this year.
Draper Reaching New Heights
Focusing on the British players, Jack Draper, the British No. 1, achieved significant success in Madrid and Rome. In only his seventh Masters clay-court event, he utilized the altitude to his advantage to reach the final in Madrid. This was followed by his first quarter-final appearance in Rome, where he was eventually defeated by Carlos Alcaraz.
Jack`s year continues to show improvement both physically and mentally. He is pushing himself to a higher level, a space where he understands increased expectations and scrutiny are part of the package. He is well aware that adapting to this will take time.
He speaks of “greatness being in consistency,” a quality he is diligently building. After a successful run of eight wins against just two losses across these two key tournaments, which has propelled him to world No. 5, only 15 points behind Taylor Fritz, expectations for his performance in Paris and beyond will undoubtedly be high.
Social Media`s Impact
Sitting next to Jack on the flight back from Madrid offered an interesting perspective on social media`s power and its potential dangers, a topic particularly relevant to me as a mother of two boys increasingly drawn to it.
Jack expressed a desire to step back from social media, and the power cut in Madrid gave him a brief taste of life without it. While many could benefit from reducing social media use, it`s easier said than done, especially for a 23-year-old constantly surrounded by temptation and distraction.
Promising Signs for Raducanu
Emma Raducanu has had an encouraging few weeks, building momentum after reaching the quarter-finals in Miami. She seems to be finding her rhythm on clay and is currently participating in the Strasbourg tournament.
After accepting a late wildcard, Emma started strongly in Strasbourg with a win over Daria Kasatkina. She commented post-match, saying, “As I spend more time on clay, I`m beginning to like it more and more. I`m building my relationship with the surface.”
Raducanu also appears to be discovering what works best for her, both on and off the court. With Jane O`Donoghue and Mark Petchey supporting her, a pre-match football kickaround has become an important part of her routine. She also recognizes the need to disconnect from tennis at times, exploring her surroundings and engaging in other activities.
Congratulations are also due to Katie Boulter. After an early exit in Rome, she entered and won a WTA 125 event in Paris, securing five wins, including a tough three-set final against Chloe Paquet. This victory earned her valuable ranking points and, more significantly, precious time and confidence on the often-unpredictable clay surface.
Swiatek`s Recent Struggles
For the past few years at this point in the season, discussions about the women`s French Open draw focused on Iga Swiatek as the clear favorite and who could possibly challenge her dominance on clay.
This year, the conversation revolves more around “what`s happening with Iga?” Despite a season that would be considered successful for most players – 27 wins from 36 matches in 2025, reaching four (or five, including the United Cup) semi-finals – she arrives in Paris, for the first time since 2020, without a title and seemingly lacking confidence. She is, however, a four-time French Open Champion and three-time defending champion at Roland Garros.
Swiatek has mentioned making technical “tweaks.” She has also faced personal challenges, including the death of her grandfather. Some observers wonder if a one-month ban for a doping test violation late last year still casts a shadow. I recall a conversation in Miami, where, off-camera, she spoke about the intense pressure and scrutiny she feels from the Polish media.
These are significant pressures for a 23-year-old, now ranked world No. 5. To prepare for Paris, Iga arrived early. She boasts an impressive record at Roland Garros, having not lost there since 2021, a streak of 21 consecutive wins. She will also celebrate her 24th birthday during the tournament, hoping that the familiar environment and extended preparation time will help her find continued success on the Parisian clay.
Djokovic Appears Unsettled
Novak Djokovic is currently competing at the ATP 250 event in Geneva, seeking to find form and potentially his 100th career title. He is playing without a coach following the news during the Rome tournament (which he did not play for the first time since 2007) that he had parted ways with coach Andy Murray.
The split wasn`t surprising to many, given Djokovic`s recent performance issues and a notable, expletive-filled rant during a practice session with Murray in Madrid, where he expressed strong negative feelings towards tennis. He subsequently lost in the first round to Matteo Arnaldi.
Djokovic appears unsettled. Whether the cause is purely on-court or related to off-court factors remains unclear, known only to him. Winning a 25th Grand Slam title seems increasingly challenging. With Jannik Sinner back on tour and showing strong form, the upcoming weeks leading up to Wimbledon promise to be very intriguing.
