Iga Swiatek said tennis didn’t need last week highly publicized and controversial »Battle of the sexes“because women’s football “is autonomous”.
The world number 2 said she did not watch the meeting between the four-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgioswhich was held in Dubai last week.
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The exhibition match took place under the same name as Billie Jean King’s breakthrough win over Bobby Riggs in 1973, but Swiatek said that was all the two had in common.
“I didn’t watch (Sabalenka against Kyrgios) because I don’t watch stuff like that,” the Pole said in Sydney, ahead of the United Cup, her first tournament of the season.
“I think it certainly got a lot of attention. It was entertainment, but I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with social change or any other important topic.
“I think the name was exactly the same as the match against Billie Jean King in 1973. That’s it. There were no more similarities because I feel like women’s tennis stands on its own right now.
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“We have so many great athletes and great stories to showcase that we don’t necessarily need to compare ourselves to men’s tennis.
“Honestly, there doesn’t need to be any competition.”
The six-time major winner, who is aiming for a maiden Australian Open title at the end of this month – the only grand slam she has yet to win – said the season-opening United Cup Mixed Team Cup was a better format to showcase the best of men’s and women’s tennis.
The format includes a men’s singles match and a women’s singles match, followed by a mixed doubles match in each tie.
“Events like this, the United Cup, bring tennis together, and WTA and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,” Swiatek said.
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“Seeing singles players who don’t usually have space to play together in mixed doubles, playing those kinds of matches, I think that’s actually what makes our sport a lot more interesting and better.”
Swiatek is set to begin her United Cup campaign against Germany’s Eva Lys on Monday.
