Swiatek bluntly criticized Sabalenka over the 'Battle of the Sexes' match

The world No. 2 tennis player believes the "Battle of the Sexes" between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios lacks significant meaning.

Current world No. 2 Iga Swiatek expressed that matches labeled as "Battle of the Sexes" no longer hold much relevance in the context of modern women's tennis, as she feels women's tennis today has its own status and nothing more needs to be proven.

Speaking this morning on January 3rd in Sydney, Australia, where Swiatek began her new season with the Polish team at the United Cup, the six-time Grand Slam champion shared her views regarding the controversial exhibition match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios held last week in Dubai. This match was widely promoted as a gender showdown, attracting significant attention from media and fans.

In that exhibition match, Kyrgios won 6-3 against Sabalenka, despite the female world No. 1's court being reduced by about 9% to limit the advantage of the Australian "bad boy"'s power and speed.

Swiatek openly admitted she did not watch the match. "I didn’t watch it because I don’t watch things like that.", said the Polish player. "I think it definitely attracted a lot of attention and was entertaining, but I don’t believe it relates to social change or any important topic."

According to Swiatek, calling the match a "Battle of the Sexes" is symbolic and reminiscent of the historic 1973 confrontation between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. "The name is just like the 1973 match of Billie Jean King; beyond that, there’s no similarity. Back then, women’s tennis was fighting for recognition, but now we have our own status.", she emphasized.

Swiatek believes that today’s women’s tennis features many outstanding players and compelling stories, and there is no need to compare it to men’s tennis. "Honestly, there’s no need for any competition.", the 2001-born player added.