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Iga Swiatek says tennis doesn’t need last week’s match Highly concerned and controversial ‘battle of the sexes‘Race because the women’s game is ‘independent’.
The world number two says she has not watched the showdown between the four-time Grand Slam champions Alina Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist. Nick Kyrgioswhich held in Dubai last week.
The exhibition match shares its name with Billie Jean King’s 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs, but Swiatek said that’s what the two have in common.
“I haven’t seen it [Sabalenka against Kyrgios] Because I don’t watch stuff like this,” the Pole said ahead of the Fed Cup tie in Sydney, her first match of the season.
“I think it definitely attracted a lot of attention. It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with social change or any important topic.
“I think the name is the same as the name that Billie Jean King had in ’73. That’s it. There are no more similarities because I feel like women’s tennis is on its own now.
“We have so many great athletes and great stories to tell and we don’t necessarily need to be compared to men’s tennis.
“Honestly, there doesn’t need to be any competition.”
The six-time Grand Slam winner is targeting a maiden Australian Open title at the end of this month, the only Grand Slam she has yet to win. She said the season-opening Mixed Team Federation Cup was a better format to showcase the best in men’s and women’s tennis.
The format consists of a men’s singles match and a women’s singles match, followed by a mixed doubles match in each match.
“Events like the Fed Cup bring the sport of tennis together and are something that WTA fans and ATP fans can be very excited to watch,” said Swiatek.
“To see singles players who normally don’t have space to play mixed doubles together, take part in a tournament like this, I think it actually makes our sport more interesting and better.”
Swiatek is expected to start her Fed Cup campaign on Monday against Germany’s Eva Liss.