Iga Swiatek says women’s tennis does not need ‘Battle of the Sexes’
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Poland's Iga Swiatek said the match had no real similarities to the 1973 match of the same name between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
PHOTO: AFP
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SYDNEY – Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek said on Jan 3 she saw little point to the “Battle of the Sexes” match and that women’s tennis has nothing more to prove.
Women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Australian Nick Kyrgios faced off in a highly publicised and controversial exhibition match
Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3, with Sabalenka’s side of the court reduced by 9 per cent in an attempt to restrict his power and speed advantage.
It bore little resemblance
Back then, there was more at stake with the nascent women’s professional tour, set up by King, fighting for legitimacy and prize money.
“I haven’t watched because I don’t watch stuff like that,” world No. 2 Swiatek said in Sydney, where she opens her season at the United Cup.
“I think for sure it attracted a lot of attention. It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say that had anything to do with social change or any important topics.
“I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ’73. That’s it.
“There were no more similarities because I feel like women’s tennis stands on its own right now.
“We have so many great athletes and great stories to present, we don’t necessarily need to compare to men’s tennis.
“Honestly, there doesn’t need to be any competition.”
Swiatek, who is preparing for January’s Australian Open, the only Grand Slam she is yet to win, said the mixed-teams United Cup was a better way to celebrate men and women’s tennis.
“I think actually events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,” she added.
“Seeing also 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.”
Ties at the United Cup comprise one men’s and one women’s singles and a mixed doubles, with group winners in each host city – Perth and Sydney – advancing to the quarter-finals along with the best runners-up.
Sabalenka this week defended playing Kyrgios, saying tennis needs to “keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun”.
“I think I would definitely do it again,” she said. “I love revenge and I don’t like to leave it the way it is.”
In on-court action at the United Cup on Jan 3, the US were given a scare before trumping Argentina 2-1 in Perth.
World No. 6 Taylor Fritz was upset by Sebastian Baez 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 but third-ranked Coco Gauff proved the saviour, beating Solana Sierra 6-1, 6-1 before teaming up with Christian Harrison to beat Maria Lourdes Carle and Guido Andreozzi 6-4, 6-1 and seal the tie.
Also in Perth, Switzerland beat France 3-0, while in Sydney, China pipped Belgium 2-1 while hosts Australia saw off Norway by the same score. AFP
