Fresh off her latest WTA title run, former World No. 1 Iga Świątek has described her post-Cincinnati turnaround as the most demanding of her career, managing barely a moment to savor victory before flying into New York for the start of the US Open’s newly revamped mixed doubles showcase.
How Did Iga Świątek Have to Balance a Title Win with the US Open’s Mixed Doubles Debut?
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has introduced a fresh twist to its Fan Week by launching a $1 million mixed doubles event at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The two-day competition on August 19 and 20 has drawn 16 star-studded ATP-WTA pairings, making it one of the most high-profile warm-up attractions of the summer.
Świątek partnered with Norway’s Casper Ruud, and the duo have impressed early, dispatching Madison Keys and Frances Tiafoe in straight sets before overcoming Caty McNally and Lorenzo Musetti to book a semifinal spot against Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula.
What made Świątek’s New York arrival even more remarkable was how quickly it followed her Cincinnati triumph. Less than 24 hours after lifting her 24th career title with a 7-5, 6-4 win over seventh seed Jasmine Paolini in the final, the Pole was on a flight to Queens.
A Champion in Cincinnati 👑@iga\_swiatek | @wta pic.twitter.com/z6V7YsAl46
— Cincinnati Open (@CincyTennis) August 19, 2025
The path to that title showcased Świątek’s dominance throughout the week. She defeated Anastasia Potapova, 25th seed Marta Kostyuk, Sorana Cîrstea, 28th seed Anna Kalinskaya, and ninth seed Elena Rybakina en route to her 11th WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati.
What Did Świątek Say About Her Whirlwind Schedule?
Speaking in her press conference after the quarterfinals victory alongside Ruud, she explained the whirlwind nature of her schedule. “Honestly, I already got the experience of not having time to celebrate. This was like the most extreme situation and most extreme schedule I have after the title win,” she said with a smile.
MORE: Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud Argue Over Who Approached Whom in Amusing US Open Mixed Doubles Moment
Świątek detailed how the hours immediately after her victory unfolded: “Yeah, I stretched, did ice bath, quick shower, media, and after like one and a half hour after the match, we already went to catch a plane. So that’s it. Yeah, it was pretty fast. But I’m happy that I did my media. That was the most important part.”
Meanwhile, Ruud faced a contrasting experience in Cincinnati, dealing with early exits in both singles and doubles. The 26-year-old, who was the 11th seed, lost 7-6(5), 4-6, 2-6 to Arthur Rinderknech in the singles second round. In doubles, he and his partner Pedro Martínez lost 4-6, 6-4, 5-10 to the American duo Robert Cash and James Tracy.
