Women's game did not need Battle of the Sexes, says Swiatek

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Iga Swiatek believes that the women's game did not need the Battle of the Sexes exhibition between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka.

Kyrgios, who has dropped to 671 in the rankings and has won just one competitive singles match since the end of 2022, beat Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 last month.

The court was modified to be around 9% smaller on Sabalenka's side to provide an even playing field, but the WTA world number one was unable to make that advantage count.

It was the fourth such edition of the exhibition that first began in 1973, which saw Bobby Riggs beat Margaret Court in straight sets.

Indeed, of those matches, only one woman has won, with 12-time grand slam winner Billie Jean King beating Riggs 6-4 6-3 6-3 in Texas.

But Swiatek believes tennis has come a long way since the original Battle of the Sexes, which highlighted the women's game fight for legitimacy and prize money.

"I haven't watched [Sabalenka v Kyrgios] because I don't watch stuff like that," the world number two said.

"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."

Sabalenka has since said she would like a rematch with Kyrgios, but the Belarusian stated that she would like a full court and two serves.

Swiatek, meanwhile, said the mixed-team United Cup – which got under way in Australia on Friday – is a better way to celebrate men's and women's tennis.

The event comprises a men's and women's singles match, and mixed doubles – working in a group format.

"Events like this one, the United Cup, bring tennis together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement," Swiatek added.

"Seeing also singles players that usually don't have space to play mixed doubles together, playing these kinds of matches.

"I think this is actually what makes our sport much more interesting and better."