Swiatek: "What Sabalenka and Kyrgios did was unnecessary, it had nothing to do with social change or anything important"
The Polish player was very critical of the Battle of the Sexes during the press conference prior to the United Cup 2026, where she revealed her goals and expectations for this season.
A media circus, a spectacle devoid of all sense that desecrated the concept of Battle of the Sexes and ended up being a fiasco. That is how many have assessed what happened in Dubai on December 28 with the duel between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. What is surprising is that Iga Swiatek expressed it in those terms, without any embarrassment, in the press conference prior to the United Cup 2026.
Being one of the best female players in the world carries responsibilities when addressing controversial issues, and Iga Swiatek has not shied away from it in her appearance before the media at the United Cup 2026. The Polish player will team up with Hurkacz with the hope of winning a competition where they have lost the last two finals. She was asked about various matters and highlighted her thoughts on the Battle of the Sexes between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, which could spark a rich debate within the global tennis community.
Swiatek lashes out against the match played between Sabalenka and Kyrgios, and eases pressure to achieve her goals
"I didn't watch it because I'm not interested in those kinds of things. It was just a spectacle, a show that attracted a lot of attention but had nothing to do with social change or anything important that could impact women's tennis. They took the same name as the match between Billie-Jean King in 1973, but nothing more. Women have managed to stand out and value our tennis by ourselves; we have great individual stories and do not need to compare ourselves to men's tennis," explained the Polish player.
In fact, her presence at the United Cup 2026 gives this mixed tournament, where women and men play a doubles match together, a special significance. "I don't think matches like the one between Sabalenka and Kyrgios are necessary, but events like this that unite both circuits. That's what enhances tennis and makes it better and more interesting for everyone," asserted Iga Swiatek, who also addressed other aspects, such as her goals and aspirations for this new season.
"My mentality has not changed. I know I have to think week by week because otherwise, the season can be very long. I focus on my own process; I know I have very exciting goals like completing the Career Grand Slam in Australia or regaining the number 1 ranking, and I am aware of the difficulty that both entail. I don't need to pressure myself because I am young and have time to achieve all kinds of historic goals," said the current world number 2, excited about what she can achieve in a United Cup 2026 where she is one of the main attractions.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Swiatek: "Lo de Sabalenka y Kyrgios fue innecesario, no tenía nada que ver con un cambio social ni nada importante"