Rusedski lashes out at Kyrgios: "He was seen sweating profusely on the court"

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The reactions to "The Battle of the Sexes" that took place yesterday in Dubai have not been long in coming. The clash between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka did not live up to expectations, and the overall consensus about the match seems to be quite negative.

The defeat of the number 1 in the WTA rankings by 6-3 and 6-3 at the hands of Kyrgios—currently ranked 671st in the world—was the least of the problems for many tennis personalities, who have focused on the format, rules, and the overall message of the event.

The low competitiveness of "The Battle of the Sexes"

One of the latest to join this flood of criticism has been the former world number 4, Greg Rusedski. In his program Off Court Cuts, part of the Off Court with Greg podcast, the Briton was straightforward about the nature of the spectacle: “I asked before the match on our podcast if this was a trick and the answer is... trick, trick, trick”.

Rusedski especially denounced the low level of competitiveness: “It really didn't feel like a match. I did not enjoy it. I just thought Kyrgios was dictating the rhythm. Let's not forget that he was ranked 671st in the world. Did we really need this, and was it good for tennis? I’m not so sure”.

The Briton emphasized the physical difficulties displayed by Kyrgios, out of shape after three years without competing: “He is a guy who is out of shape and hasn't played in three years. He was seen sweating profusely on the court. This just didn't work for me”.

Was this exhibition necessary?

Despite the evident difference in levels, Rusedski had kind words for the Belarusian. “Sabalenka is a brilliant player. World number 1, winner of several Grand Slams. I just don't think we need this for our sport”. And he valued other more appealing competition formats. “I'm a big tennis purist and prefer watching the mixed doubles exhibition they did at the US Open. For me, that has more value and is better publicity for the game”.

The former British number 1, Annabel Croft, also agreed that the show did not live up to expectations, highlighting how Kyrgios' style conditioned the match. “I think it wasn't exactly what I thought it could be. That had a lot to do with how he played. He did what he usually does on the circuit: slice, drop shots, slow balls. He is a very uncomfortable opponent for anyone,” she explained.

Croft, on the other hand, was slightly disappointed in Sabalenka's performance. “I didn't feel she really demonstrated what she is capable of. I didn't expect her to win the match, but maybe it was disappointing in terms of how she could have shown herself”. And she criticized some of the introduced novelties like the absence of a second serve. “Next time, they shouldn’t take away her first serve. That was the big difference between the two. It would have been much more interesting if she had her first serve because it takes away a fundamental part of her tennis structure,” she concluded.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Rusedski carga contra Kyrgios: "Se le veía sudar profusamente en la pista"