Iga Swiatek downplays 2025 "Battle of the Sexes", asserts "women's tennis stands on its own right now"

Iga Swiatek is a fan of the vision behind the United Cup. The same can’t be said for the 2025 “Battle of the Sexes” between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios.

Ahead of Poland’s opening match in Sydney against Germany, Swiatek was asked whether she followed her chief rival take on Kyrgios in late December.

“No, I haven't watched, because I don't watch stuff like that,” she responded during a team press conference.

“I only know about how it looked like. But I think it was for sure nice entertainment and an exo match between these two.”

As for her take on the spectacle that came more than 50 years after the iconic showdown Billie Jean King won over Bobby Riggs, Swiatek doesn’t believe the two share much of anything in common.

“I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in '73. That's it,” she believes.

“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, like, compare to men's tennis. It's a totally different story.”

It was entertainment, but I wouldn't say that had anything to do with, like, social change or any important topics.

📲🖥️ Stream the 2026 United Cup on the Tennis Channel App!

Swiatek is set to suit up for her nation in the season’s opening mixed-gender team competition for the fourth year running. Having taken part since its inception, the world No. 2 finds its platform is a stronger representation of how men’s and women’s tennis can be combined into one viewing experience.

“I think actually events like this one, United Cup, brings tennis all together. WTA fans and ATP fans can watch this event with so much excitement,” Swiatek said.

“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.”

Read More: Three matches that have defined the United Cup

The 24-year-old is looking to help guide her country to its first title alongside fellow regular participant Hubert Hurkacz. Swiatek begins her 2026 season Monday against Eva Lys, with Hurkacz due to face Alexander Zverev.

Germany edged Poland to win the 2024 edition, before the Polish squad finished runner-up again last year at the hands of the U.S.