Privacy and focus collided in an unusual moment at the Cincinnati Open when Iga Swiatek gestured for a cameraman to stop filming her between sets.
The request came during her semifinal clash with Elena Rybakina, a match that saw the Polish star rally from a difficult start to book a place in the final against Jasmine Paolini.
The encounter began with Rybakina pushing Swiatek to the edge, racing to a 5-3 lead in the first set. But the four-time Grand Slam champion showed her trademark grit, stringing together four straight games to snatch the opener 7-5.
After sealing the set, she headed for her bench, removed her cap, and motioned to the camera operator, signaling for privacy as she prepared to change into a fresh top in the humid Ohio conditions.
The camera quickly shifted away, respecting the world No 3’s request. While the brief exchange drew plenty of attention online, it had no impact on Swiatek’s composure.
She returned to the court unfazed and delivered a 6-3 second set to close out the contest in an hour and 38 minutes.
Swiatek balances intensity with control
For Swiatek, the semi-final was as much about mental resilience as it was about physical execution.
“At the beginning, the level was pretty crazy. We played so fast that sometimes we couldn’t run to the second ball. I was there to play with intensity and good quality. I’m super happy with the performance,” she said after her victory.
Her turnaround was rooted in patience. Rybakina, the Wimbledon champion, had dominated early rallies with her booming serve and aggressive baseline play.
But Swiatek trusted that her opponent’s level would eventually dip, and she was ready to pounce.
“I just wanted to be there when Elena starts making mistakes, because I think it’s impossible to play such a good level throughout the whole match. I’m happy that I was there and I wasn’t frustrated when she was acing and playing so perfectly from the beginning,” Swiatek explained.
The win marked Swiatek’s first final appearance in Cincinnati after falling short in previous editions. It also continues a strong summer run for the 24-year-old, who claimed her first Wimbledon title last month and has reached the final in three of her last four tournaments.
Should she defeat Paolini in the final, Swiatek would climb above Coco Gauff to No 2 in the world rankings, securing the second seed for the upcoming US Open.
Only Aryna Sabalenka would remain ahead of her. The trio have shared the last three US Open titles, with Swiatek lifting the trophy in 2022, Gauff in 2023, and Sabalenka in 2024.
Swiatek acknowledged that her progress at the Cincinnati event feels like part of a larger breakthrough.
“Anyone in the final is going to be super tough, so I have to think tactically. I will focus on myself and do what I’ve been doing, because for sure I feel like there’s been progress at this tournament. I just want to continue that, no matter what the result is,” she said.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Swiatek also praised the atmosphere around the tournament.
“I feel the love here, it’s a great place to be. People of Cincinnati are so nice, everywhere we go, even though we’re here to play, we feel like we can have peace and just relax when off the court. So thank you guys for coming out, rooting for us and see you tomorrow,” she added.
The final against Paolini offers both a chance at her first Cincinnati title and an opportunity to further solidify her standing ahead of Flushing Meadows.
Swiatek holds a flawless 5-0 record against the Italian, including a dominant 6-3, 6-1 victory just weeks ago in Bad Homburg.
For now, her candid courtside gesture remains a talking point, but it is her ability to combine composure, authority, and tactical clarity that has her poised for another major triumph.
Swiatek’s message was clear both to the cameras and her competition: on her terms, she remains one of the toughest opponents in the game.
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