In a shocking twist that’s rattling the tennis world, former coach and commentator Mark Petchey fiercely defended Emma Raducanu with just 10 controversial words—but what followed was even more explosive. Petchey stunned fans by claiming that “tennis has been rigged since Raducanu lost to Świątek.”
The jaw-dropping remark came during a heated segment on a UK sports podcast, where Petchey was asked to weigh in on Emma Raducanu’s early exit at Roland-Garros following her straight-sets loss to world No. 1 Iga Świątek. Instead of focusing solely on Raducanu’s performance, Petchey ignited a firestorm with his direct quote:
“Emma didn’t lose. The game was never meant to let her win.”
These 10 words immediately trended on social media, sparking a frenzy among fans and analysts alike.
Petchey’s remark was followed by an unexpected monologue in which he hinted that the outcome of key matches might be “influenced” behind the scenes. While he didn’t accuse any specific officials or tournaments, his implication was clear: high-stakes tennis may not always be as fair as it appears.
“When a young, marketable player like Emma is constantly up against scheduling disadvantages, questionable calls, and relentless media pressure, you have to wonder if the sport is setting her up to fail,” Petchey continued.
His statement has been both criticized and praised. Some call it an irresponsible conspiracy theory, while others believe Petchey is simply voicing what many in the tennis community have whispered for years.
Since her historic US Open win in 2021, Raducanu has faced intense scrutiny, inconsistent form, and multiple coaching changes. Her recent return to the Grand Slam spotlight at Roland-Garros was met with high hopes but ended in disappointment as Iga Świątek, the clay court queen, dominated the match.
Despite the loss, Raducanu remained poised in her post-match comments, crediting Świątek’s aggressive style and saying she was “grateful just to be competing at this level again.”
However, Petchey’s defense has reignited debate over whether Raducanu is being given a fair shake in the sport—or being crushed by an establishment resistant to change.
While the term “rigged” is often associated with conspiracy, Petchey isn’t the first to raise questions about tennis governance. Match-fixing scandals, questionable officiating, and unequal scheduling have long plagued the sport’s credibility.
The timing of Petchey’s comments—just days after Roland-Garros entered its final rounds—could not be more impactful. Tennis officials have yet to respond to his accusations, but fans are demanding transparency.
As the sport reels from his bold claim, one thing is certain: Mark Petchey’s 10 words have opened a Pandora’s box, and the tennis world may never look the same again.
