World number two Iga Swiatek has dismissed the need for "Battle of the Sexes" style competitions, arguing that the women’s game no longer has anything to prove. Her comments follow last week's exhibition in Dubai, where Nick Kyrgios defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 under modified rules, including a 9 percent smaller "equalizer" court for the Belarusian.
Swiatek, currently preparing for the United Cup in Sydney, revealed she chose not to tune in. “I haven’t watched because I don’t watch stuff like that,” Swiatek said. “It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say that had anything to do with social change or any important topics.”
While the original match was a pivotal moment for the legitimacy of the women’s professional tour, Swiatek believes the modern version merely borrowed the branding. “I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ‘73. That’s it,” she noted.
“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.”
Swiatek argued that the current state of the sport makes gender-based head-to-head competitions unnecessary. She emphasized that the WTA possesses its own distinct identity, stating, “Honestly, there doesn’t need to be any competition.”
Her view was echoed by world number 11 Belinda Bencic, who categorized the Dubai match as a "nice exhibition" but criticized the choice of title. Bencic added, “My personal opinion is that it shouldn't have been called Battle of the Sexes, because that was something else.”
Instead of gimmicky singles matches, Swiatek pointed to the United Cup as the ideal model for integrating men’s and women’s tennis. The mixed-team tournament, which features singles and mixed doubles matches, is a format she finds far more valuable for the sport's growth.
“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 said. Swiatek added that seeing singles stars play mixed doubles makes the sport "much more interesting and better" and provides a refreshing break from the standard tour energy.
Despite the criticism, Aryna Sabalenka has defended the event, insisting that such matches are essential for fan engagement. “I think I would definitely do it again,” Sabalenka said, noting that she wants "revenge" against Kyrgios in a future rematch. She argued that the match brought much-needed attention to the sport and should not be viewed negatively.
