Iga Swiatek addresses Cincinnati heat concerns ahead of Elena Rybakina semi-final showdown - ‘We just need to survive’
By James Hilsum
Updated 17/08/2025 at 16:41 GMT+1
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Iga Swiatek spoke about the hugely challenging conditions which players are facing in Cincinnati. The hot weather has certainly taken its toll, as Swiatek suggested ways in which players could be helped further in the very high temperatures. Swiatek has cruised past Anastasia Potapova, Sorana Cirstea and Anna Kalinskaya at the tournament ahead of facing Elena Rybakina on Sunday.
Watch: Raducanu unhappy at baby crying during Cincinnati loss
Video credit: SNTV
Iga Swiatek revealed the struggles which players are facing at the Cincinnati Open, amid the scorching temperatures in the United States.
Several players have needed medical assistance in the searing mid-summer Ohio heat, with Arthur Rinderknech collapsing on court and forced to retire in his third-round clash against Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The Wimbledon champion has reached the semi-finals without breaking much of a metaphoric sweat, having yet to drop a set so far at the tournament.
She was also given a walkover in round three after Marta Kostyuk was forced to withdraw from the tournament with injury.
Speaking about the conditions, Swiatek believes that certain measures can be introduced to help players combat the heat.
"This kind of heat is like something that we just need to survive, and it's not like we can't," she said. "I think, maybe giving five more seconds to use the towel or have more time to breathe because it's a bit harder, that would be nice. But besides that I think we can handle it.
"It's nice that we have the ice towels on a bench and the AC kind of next to us. So, this is for sure helpful.
"Without it, I think it would be much worse. But the only thing would be to maybe have two more seconds to use the towel. I'll always be the player to ask for that."
The six-time Grand Slam champion is back out on court on Sunday when she takes on Elena Rybakina.
It marks Swiatek’s third semi-final appearance in a row in Cincinnati, but a place in the final has so far eluded the Pole.
Defeats to Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka, in 2023 and 2024 respectively, mean that the 24-year-old will be aiming to make it third time lucky this year.
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Rybakina’s path to the last four has been comparatively more difficult, with her first three matches at the tournament all going to deciding sets.
That preceded a surprisingly dominant straight-sets win over Sabalenka in the quarter-finals with an emphatic 6-1 6-4 victory.
Swiatek has edged the head-to-head between the two players, winning five of their nine encounters, including each of the previous three meetings.
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