At the 2025 Cincinnati Open, players like Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Félix Auger-Aliassime, and the tennis community voiced concerns over the extreme heat, which forced several players to retire from matches. Scorching temperatures led to withdrawals by Arthur Rinderknech, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Luciano Darderi, and Jakub Menšík.
With temperatures regularly exceeding 30°C, many players were forced to retire. However, some players continued to compete by using portable air conditioning provided by the tournament, applying ice packs to their heads and necks, and employing various cooling methods. This has led to outrage in the tennis world.
How Did the Tennis World React to the Cincinnati Open’s Hot Weather?
The scorching conditions at the 2025 Cincinnati Open impacted the players and fans in the stadium, with some spectators experiencing heat-related illnesses. During his third-round match against Auger-Aliassime, Rinderknech collapsed on the court. After being checked by medical personnel, he attempted to continue but ultimately had to retire.
Menšík, Fokina, and Darderi also retired due to the intense heat during their matches against Luca Nardi, João Fonseca, and Francisco Comesaña, respectively. Comesaña himself experienced dizziness during his third-round match against Reilly Opelka.
After her third-round match against Emma Raducanu, which lasted over three hours, Sabalenka shared that she immediately took an ice bath to alleviate the effects of heat exhaustion. Similarly, Rybakina appeared affected by the heat during her match against Renata Zarazúa and was seen using ice packs. Following the match, she admitted that she felt unwell.
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Auger-Aliassime described playing in Cincinnati’s hot conditions as akin to being in an “oven.” Rinderknech criticized the surface material used at the tournament after his retirement.
Reacting to the numerous retirements caused by the heat, former Croatian tennis player Ivan Ljubičić took to social media and criticized the decision to have players compete in such conditions.
“Nobody wins when players are fainting because of extreme conditions… Which other sport does this ? … players are asked to go out day after day to compete in such conditions… Has nothing to do with being fit,” Ljubičić posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Nobody wins when players are fainting because of extreme conditions… Which other sport does this ? … players are asked to go out day after day to complete in such conditions… Has nothing to do with being fit
— Ivan Ljubicic (@theljubicic) August 12, 2025
Tennis performance coaching analyst Mike James called for a reevaluation of the rules regarding play in extreme heat.
“My bad — it’s actually 6 retirements since the start of the tournament but still! Many more players have called for the physios to court with temps hitting 35°C (95°F) and humidity pushing 70%, conditions in #Cincinnati are brutal. 🌡️ Time for a heat rule on the men’s side?@CincyTennis @atptour,” James posted on X.
My bad — it’s actually 6 retirements since the start of the tournament but still! Many more players have called for the physios to court with temps hitting 35°C (95°F) and humidity pushing 70%, conditions in #Cincinnati are brutal. 🌡️ Time for a heat rule on the men’s side?…
— Mike James (@mikejamestennis) August 11, 2025
Many tennis fans also took to social media to express their thoughts on the same.
“Having a tennis tournament in 90-plus degrees should be illegal. I feel for these players,” a fan posted.
Having a tennis tournament in 90 plus degrees should be illegal. I feel for these players.
— American Chutney (@AmericanChutney) August 13, 2025
“Gosh players are falling like flies 😬🤕 Think about a heat threshold for play and invest in a roof Cincy!” a fan wrote.
Gosh players are falling like flies 😬🤕
Think about a heat threshold for play and invest in a roof Cincy! https://t.co/UwPACRfvOk— TG (@Tennisgeeking) August 12, 2025
“The heat at the Cincinnati Open have been brutal. I’ve never seen so many players struggle this much at a tournament,” a fan posted.
The heat at the Cincinnati Open have been brutal. I’ve never seen so many players struggle this much at a tournament.
— Nkomo (@_uSongz) August 12, 2025
“Francisco Comesaña suffered from dizziness in his match against Opelka. Cincinnati heat continues to cause problems,” a fan wrote.
Francisco Comesaña suffered from dizziness in his match against Opelka.
Cincinnati heat continues to cause problems.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/pqFuXYlumW
— Alejandro López Fernández (@alejandrolf2410) August 12, 2025
Sabalenka is the defending champion at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, having won it last year by defeating Jessica Pegula in the final. This year, she began her title defense by defeating Markéta Vondroušová and then triumphed over Raducanu in the third round to advance to the fourth, where she will take on Jéssica Bouzas Maneiro.
On the other hand, Rybakina, seeded ninth, eliminated Zarazúa and 19th seed Elise Mertens in the second and third rounds, respectively, to secure her place in the fourth round, where she will face sixth seed Madison Keys.
