Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek has downplayed the significance of the “Battle of the Sexes” event, which was heavily promoted during the 1973 tour, indicating that it represented only half of the overall women’s tennis.
Swiatek pointed out that while many consider it one of the top events in tennis history, women in tennis have nothing to prove on a global scale and should not be measured against men’s tennis.
“I haven’t watched because I don’t watch stuff like that,” Swiatek said during a press conference. “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.”
Currently ranked No. 2 in the world and participating in the United Cup in Sydney, Swiatek emphasized that the mixed team event is a far more meaningful way to celebrate women’s tennis. The match between Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 in women’s singles tennis, and Nick Kyrgios, the Australian entertainer, has been likened to the famous battle between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.
Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3, reducing the size of his side of the court by nine percent to counteract Sabalenka’s strength, speed, and elevation advantage. However, Swiatek felt that such comparisons are invalid. She remarked that the context that made the 1973 match era-defining is no longer relevant. Women’s tennis, according to her, is now a legitimate global professional sport.
“I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ’73. That’s it,” she stated. “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.”
As she prepares for the Australian Open this month, the only Grand Slam title she has yet to win, she believes that modern formats such as the United Cup more accurately reflect the current state of the game.
“I think actually events like this one, United Cup, bring tennis together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,” she commented. “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.”