Iga Swiątek has spoken out against the idea of a “Battle of the Sexes” tournament, suggesting female athletes there is no point to prove.
She said that women do not need to compete against men to prove their value or ability in sport. Swiątek believes women’s tennis is already strong, competitive, and successful on its own.
“I don’t watch stuff like that, but for sure it attracted a lot of attention, it was entertainment.
“I wouldn’t say it had anything to do with social change or any important topics. The name was the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in ’73, and that’s it.
“I feel 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, and I don’t think there needs to be any [Battle of the Sexes] competition.”
Aryna Sabalenka has responded to the criticism by defending the event. She believes the “Battle of the Sexes” match “brought eyes to tennis”.
The 27-year-old also posted on Instagram, she wrote,” Thank you to everyone that came out to support! I hope we were able to keep you entertained.
“This match was good practice before the new season begins. Speaking of… I might have to take this jacket with me in the 2026 season up next at the Australian Open”.
Only three tennis matches in history have been widely recognised as “Battle of the Sexes” events. There is no confirmed date for a 2026 edition, following the most recent exhibition between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios.
The reason the concept still attracts attention is its powerful legacy. The original Battle of the Sexes played a pivotal role in changing how women were perceived in sports and marked a significant milestone in the fight for equality following Billie Jean King’s historic victory in 1973.
