Iga Swiatek Slams 'Battle of the Sexes' Match

Last week, Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the highly publicized and equally polarizing "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match. Billie Jean King denounced the match, and now Iga Swiatek is the first current WTA star to speak out against the spectacle.

Reporters asked Swiatek about the event during a news conference at the United Cup in Australia. "No, I haven't watched, because I don't watch stuff like that. I think for sure it attracted, like, a lot of attention. It was an entertainment, but I wouldn't say that had anything to do with, like, social change or any important topics."

“Women’s tennis stands on its own right now” 🎾

Iga Swiatek dismisses the need for the recent ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/6wQC7CuK4F
— TNT Sports (@tntsports) January 3, 2026

Swiatek continued, "I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in '73. That's it. 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. It's a totally different story."

Swiatek concluded, "I think, honestly, yeah, there doesn't need to be any competition. I think actually events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis all together, and WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement. Seeing also singles players that usually don't have space to play mixed doubles together, playing these kind of matches, I think this is actually what makes our sport much more interesting and better.

So yeah, I haven't watched the match. I only know about how it looked like. But I think, yeah, it was for sure nice entertainment and an XO match between these two."

Iga Swiatek was asked about Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios’ Battle of the Sexes match

“Iga, did you see the Kyrgios and Sabalenka match and if you had any thoughts on it?”

Iga: “No, I haven't watched, because I don't watch stuff like that.
I think for sure it attracted, like,… pic.twitter.com/K17RczBVWu
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 3, 2026

Fans can expect to hear more about this story as the media will ask Sabalenka about Swiatek's comments. Meanwhile, Kyrgios will continue campaigning against Swiatek as he has done since her positive drug tests in 2024.

Swiatek ended the 2025 WTA season as the World No. 2 with a singles record of 62-17 with three titles. The highlight of the Polish superstar's season came at Wimbledon, where she won her sixth Grand Slam title.

Stay locked into Sports Illustrated's Serve On SI for all of your tennis news from the court and beyond.

More Tennis News

Carlos Alcaraz is mimicking Novak Djokovic's form on his new serve motion.

Naomi Osaka blamed an illness for her first loss of 2026.

Five players have a chance to rewrite history at the 2026 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic's future with Lacoste has become clear entering 2026.

Jack Draper's Australian Open announcement will reshape the field.