The “Battle of the Sexes” between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka before the turn of the year did not go down well with Iga Swiatek at all.
Polish tennis star Iga Swiatek has once again sharply criticized the “Battle of the Sexes” between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka.
“I didn’t watch it because I don’t watch things like that,” said the world number two about the exhibition match between the holidays in Dubai, which the eccentric Kyrgios easily won 6-3, 6-3 against the world number one.
“I’m sure it attracted a lot of attention. It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with social change or important issues,” Swiatek said in Sydney, where she is starting her season at the United Cup.
Swiatek: “We don’t have to compare ourselves to men’s tennis.”
“I think the name was just the same as Billie Jean King’s match in 1973. That’s it. There were no other similarities, because I think women’s tennis is now independent,” added Swiatek. 52 years after Billie Jean King’s legendary victory over Bobby Riggs, the press had already torn the exhibition match apart, but the protagonists themselves were satisfied.
“We have so many great athletes and great stories to tell that we don’t necessarily have to compare ourselves to men’s tennis,” said Swiatek: “Honestly, there doesn’t have to be any competition.”
Swiatek praises United Cup
The six-time Grand Slam winner, who is aiming for her first Australian Open title in the coming weeks, sees the upcoming United Cup much more as an opportunity to celebrate men’s and women’s tennis together.
“Events like this bring tennis together […] and make our sport better,” said the 24-year-old.