Women’s tennis is “independent”, no need for “battle of the sexes” – Iga Swiatek

Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek says tennis doesn’t need a “battle of the sexes” between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka because the women’s game “stands on its own”.

A week ago, women’s No. 1 Sabalenka and men’s Kyrgios faced off in a high-profile exhibition match in Dubai.

Kyrgios won the match in straight sets – with the playing surface reshaped to provide a level playing field.

But Swiatek said tennis had come a long way since the 1973 “battle of the sexes” between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which highlighted the women’s sport’s fight for legitimacy and prize money.

“I haven’t seen it [Sabalenka v Kyrgios] Because I don’t watch stuff like this,” the world number two said.

“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 in the Billie Jean King match in ’73. That’s it. There are no more similarities because I feel like women’s tennis is on its own now.

“We have a lot of 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.”

Swiatek said Friday’s Mixed Team Federation Cup in Australia was a better way to celebrate men’s and women’s tennis.

The Federation Cup competition consists of one men’s and one women’s singles match as well as a mixed doubles 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,” she said.

“Also seeing singles players who normally don’t have space to play mixed doubles together competing in these types of tournaments, I think it actually makes our sport more interesting and better.”

Emma Raducanu and Billy Harris represent Great Britain at the championships and will play their first game against Japan in Perth on Sunday.