Iga Swiatek kept her cool in Sydney and made it clear she does not think tennis needs a modern Battle of the Sexes to prove its value.
The world No 2 used the spark around the controversial Dubai exhibition to praise formats that actually showcase both tours, saying the season-opening United Cup is the kind of mixed-gender competition that serves the sport better.
Swiatek on the Dubai exhibition and why she skipped watching
“I think actually events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis all together. WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,”
Iga Swiatek
Swiatek was blunt about the Dubai match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, saying she didn’t tune in and that the spectacle was entertainment rather than a meaningful social statement.
“I haven’t watched [Sabalenka against Kyrgios] because I don’t watch stuff like that,” she told reporters, distancing herself from the circus and reminding fans there is more to tennis than viral moments.
United Cup: a better model for mixed tennis
Swiatek argued the United Cup offers a far more constructive way to combine men’s and women’s tennis, with ties that include men’s and women’s singles followed by a mixed doubles match to finish every encounter.
That format gives singles stars a chance to play mixed doubles and invites fan interest across both tours, something Swiatek said actually improves the sport and rewards real competition over spectacle.
The Pole also reminded the room that she has taken part in the season-opening mixed team event since its start and is committed to the idea, signing up for what will be her fourth year running in the competition.
Her praise for mixed formats was pragmatic rather than preachy, focused on what produces good tennis and good television, not what makes for headlines on a slow sports news day.
Context: history, controversy and where the sport stands
The Dubai exhibition adopted the old Battle of the Sexes name from the 1973 Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs match, a parallel Swiatek dismissed as superficial rather than substantive when you compare the two events.
“I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ‘73. That’s it,” she said, noting there were no deeper similarities and that the historical context should not be conflated with a one-off exhibition.
Swiatek did concede the exhibition drew attention, but she refused to give it more credit than its entertainment value, saying it did not amount to social change or an important advance for the women’s game.
Her position is simple: women’s tennis already stands on its own, with star power and compelling storylines across the WTA, and there is no need to manufacture cross-sex comparisons to prove relevance.
As a six-time major winner and the current world No 2, Swiatek framed the point not as vanity but as a matter of respect for the depth of talent and narratives within the women’s tour.
She is also focused on her own agenda, chasing a maiden Australian Open trophy at the end of the month, and using the United Cup as a useful warm-up where national pride mixes with serious match practice.
Swiatek is slated to begin her United Cup campaign against Germany’s Eva Lys on Monday, a neat reminder that even in Sydney the immediate business of tennis remains match wins and tournament preparation.
For fans who prefer substance over spectacle, Swiatek’s message is reassuringly old-school: play competitive tennis, build compelling events, and the rest will follow without theatrical stunts hijacking the conversation.
The conversation about how best to present men’s and women’s tennis will continue, but for now Swiatek has drawn a clear line: mixed-team competitions like the United Cup are the functional, attractive answer she prefers.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
