SYDNEY, Australia — World No. 2 Iga Swiatek on Saturday said she sees little purpose in the recent “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition, arguing that women’s tennis has nothing more to prove.
Swiatek’s comments come after Australian Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai, in a match where Sabalenka’s court was reduced by nine percent to counter Kyrgios’ power. The match drew comparisons to Billie Jean King’s landmark 1973 encounter with Bobby Riggs, which helped legitimize women’s professional tennis.
“I haven’t watched because I don’t watch stuff like that,” Swiatek said in Sydney, where she is opening her season at the United Cup. “It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say that had anything to do with social change or any important topics.”
Swiatek added that modern women’s tennis stands on its own, with great athletes and compelling stories. “Honestly, there doesn’t need to be any competition,” she said.
The Polish star praised the mixed-teams United Cup as a better way to celebrate men’s and women’s tennis. “Seeing singles players that usually don’t have space to play mixed doubles together, playing these kind of matches, I think this is actually what makes our sport much more interesting and better,” she said.
The United Cup format includes men’s and women’s singles and mixed doubles matches, with group winners advancing to the quarterfinals in Perth and Sydney.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka defended the Dubai exhibition, saying tennis needs to “keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun” and indicated she would consider another match against Kyrgios.