Women’s tennis ‘stands on its own’ and does not need Battle of the Sexes, says Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek said tennis has no need for last week’s highly publicised and controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match as the women’s game “stands on its own”.

The world No 2 said she hadn’t watched the encounter, between four-time grand slam champion Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios, which was held in Dubai last week.

The exhibition match was held under the same name as Billie Jean King’s groundbreaking win over Bobby Riggs in 1973, but Swiatek said that was all the two had in common.

“I haven’t watched [Sabalenka against Kyrgios] because I don’t watch stuff like that,” the Pole said in Sydney, ahead of the United Cup, her first tournament of the season.

“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.”

The six-time major winner, who is targeting a maiden Australian Open title at the end of this month – the only grand slam she is yet to win – said the season-opening, mixed team United Cup was a better format for showcasing the best of men’s and women’s tennis.

The format features one men’s and one women’s singles match followed by a mixed doubles match in each tie.

“Events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,” Swiatek said.

“Seeing 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.”

Swiatek is slated to get her United Cup campaign under way against Germany’s Eva Lys on Monday.