Iga Świątek added another title to her 2026 WTA season, winning the Cincinnati Open after a grueling match against Elena Rybakina, reported Vietnam.vn. The final came after a packed schedule that saw Rybakina play a semifinal match against Coco Gauff that ended at 1am before playing at 6pm the next day.

Scheduling and player well-being concerns

Tennis365 reported that former world No. 1 doubles player Casey Dellacqua expressed frustration with the tournament’s scheduling; she criticized the short turnaround between matches, noting that players like Rybakina likely didn’t sleep until 3:30am or 4am. Dellacqua emphasized the impact of disrupted circadian rhythms on performance, particularly for a top athlete expected to compete at 6pm the following day.

Świątek, by contrast, reportedly finished her semifinal match around midnight, still not ideal for a tennis player needing to be at peak condition for the next day’s final. Dellacqua said the scheduling was unfair and questioned the prioritization of fan experience over athlete well-being.

Świątek’s return to form

After a difficult period earlier in the season, Świątek has been steadily improving, according to Punto de Break — she attributed her resurgence to a week off after Wimbledon where she stayed away from the court and focused on rest and mental reset. She said this break allowed her to return to training with a fresher mindset and more positive attitude, which has translated into strong on-court results.

Świątek is now on a seven-match winning streak and is looking to climb into the WTA top three, according to bet365. Her recent title in Canada gives her momentum heading into the Cincinnati Open, where she is aiming to secure back-to-back WTA 1000 titles and position herself as a favorite heading into the US Open.

Player reflections and tournament impact

Świątek expressed gratitude for the support from her team and fans, noting the challenges of maintaining performance while dealing with criticism on social media, according to Vietnam.vn. She also dedicated her latest title to those facing adversity, urging them to keep growing and remember their potential.

Rybakina, meanwhile, admitted to feeling fatigued in the final, noting a lack of energy and concentration, particularly at the net; she said she had already played four out of her last five matches in three sets, adding to the physical toll. Her performance in the final, she admitted, was below her usual standards due to the demanding schedule.