During a press event on January 3, 2026, Iga Swiatek, ranked number two in the world and a six-time Grand Slam champion, expressed her views on the recent exhibition match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka. The match took place in Dubai, where Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3, amidst controversy due to attempts to level the playing field with new rules. Swiatek pointed out that women's tennis stands strong on its own and does not require such gender-focused matches, which she feels do not contribute to social change or important discussions in sports. Swiatek emphasized that the focus should be on the strength and achievements of female tennis players rather than comparing them to their male counterparts. She mentioned that the exhibition, although it drew considerable attention and was entertaining, lacked the serious stakes that characterized the original 1973 'Battle of the Sexes' match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. This earlier match played a vital role in advancing women's professional tennis, unlike the recent exhibition match which Swiatek critiqued for trivializing the women's game. In contrast, she advocated for events like the United Cup, a mixed-team competition consisting of both men's and women's singles along with mixed doubles, as a more effective way to celebrate the sport and unite fans from both the ATP and WTA. Swiatek believes this format contributes to showcasing the talents of both men and women in tennis without the need for competition against each other, promoting inclusivity and excitement in the sport. As an upcoming participant in the Australian Open, Swiatek is keen to demonstrate her skills and further the narrative around women's tennis. This incident sparked a conversation surrounding the value of mixed-gender events in sports and the importance of elevating women's achievements independently. While Kyrgios and Sabalenka framed their match as a fun and fresh approach to tennis, critics, including Swiatek and Billie Jean King, believe it fell short of the necessary gravitas required to have a meaningful impact on gender issues in sports.