Iga Swiatek says women’s tennis doesn’t need ‘battle of the sexes’ after Aryna Sabalenka vs Nick Kyrgios match | Tennis news
Iga Swiatek says women’s tennis does not need the “battle of the sexes” and is capable of “sufficient in itself”.
Nick Kyrgios beat women’s world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka in December, 52 years after Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in the original iteration of the event, providing a huge boost to women’s soccer.
Swiatek, the current world number 2, did not see Sabalenka’s match against Kyrgios in Dubai, telling reporters at the United Cup in Australia, broadcast live on Sky Sports: “I don’t watch stuff like that but it sure got a lot of attention, it was entertainment.
“I wouldn’t say it has anything to do with social change or any other important topic. The name was the same as the Billie Jean King match in 1973, and that’s it.
“I think women’s tennis stands on its own right now. We have so many great athletes and great stories to showcase.
“We don’t necessarily need to compare to men’s tennis and I don’t think there is a need to. [Battle of the Sexes] competition.”
Sabalenka says she wants a rematch with Kyrgios after his straight sets loss.
Sabalenka can’t wait to have a rematch against Kyrgios
Swiatek: United Cup is refreshing
Swiatek plays for Poland in the United Cup, which sees each tie include a men’s match, a women’s match and a mixed doubles match.
She added: “I think events like the United Cup bring tennis together. WTA and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement.
“Singles players who usually don’t have space to play together in mixed doubles playing these matches are what makes our sport much more interesting and better.
“We have so many normal tournaments on tour that honestly it gets boring sometimes, so playing a team event, having that different energy and being able to talk to different people, I think it’s great and really refreshing.
“I will always choose the United Cup.”
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