Keys says toilet break 'rules are fine' despite frustration at Iga Swiatek gamesmanship

Madison Keys says the rules around toilet breaks in tennis don't need to be changed, despite taking issue with her opponent Iga Swiatek on Thursday night.

It was in between the second and third set on Rod Laver Arena when the Polish world No.2 disappeared for an extended period.

Keys had just won their second set 6-1 and had all the momentum in the Australian Open semi final.

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American star Keys tapped her watch and questioned why the chair umpire had not given Swiatek a time penalty.

"The timer on the side of the court had well and truly stopped for a good couple of minutes there," Aussie great Sam Stosur said in commentary for Nine.

"Keys was very obvious in showing that she was ready to get started."

Swiatek eventually reappeared and the deciding set went the distance, with Keys winning a thrilling 10-point tiebreaker to advance to her second grand slam final.

The American was asked post-match if Swiatek should have been penalised, or if the rules need to be tightened up.

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But, after the win, she was much more amicable.

"No. I was just asking how much time she had left, because it wasn't up on the board," Keys said.

"I was just asking him how much longer it was, her break.

"I mean, I think the rules are fine. The clock ran out on my change, but not hers, so I was just asking."

It is considered gamesmanship in tennis to attempt to change momentum of a match by taking an extended break or medical timeout, although there was no suggestion by Keys that that was her opponent's aim.