Tennis Icon Slams Battle Of Sexes Match As 'Real Reason' Behind Game Revealed
A former four-time Grand Slam tennis champion has criticised the planned 'Battle of the Sexes' match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios.
Women's world number one Sabalenka is due to take on men's number 644 Kyrgios in Dubai on December 28.
It will be the fourth intergender match that has been contested throughout tennis history, with the last one taking place in 1992.
Two of the matches were won by male players Jimmy Connors (1992, over Martina Navratilova) and Bobby Riggs (1973, over Margaret Court).
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The other, also held in 1973, was the only one of the three matches to be held over five sets, with Billie Jean King defeating Riggs in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.
Sabalenka versus Kyrgios is set to be played under two strict rules.
Reigning US Open champion Sabalenka's side of the court will be nine per cent to account for what organisers Evolve claim, according to their data, is a nine per cent speed difference between men and women.
Each player will only be allowed one serve in order to 'restrict Kyrgios' power and speed advantage'.
The organising of the match has been met with significant attention among tennis fans - though there has certainly been a mixed reaction.
Former four-time Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs, who competed between 1992 and 2011, believes that 'nobody cares' about the match and claims that it is only being staged by organisers Evolve due to the financial benefits on offer.
"They are saying this has a significant place in history. Yeah, the one 50 years ago was important, when it was women trying to fight for equality and women's rights in the United States," Stubbs said on her podcast (via Nine). "That's when it was important."
She continued: "Nobody cares about what's happening with Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios.
"The only reason they are putting this on is because their management company has gone, 'We're going to make a bit of money here. It'll be good. Get on TV. Sell a few tickets'.
"But what is in it for women's tennis? Nick Kyrgios, unless he's really hurt and can't run at all, he is going to win this match easily. It is just a fact. Male tennis players, especially someone as good as Nick Kyrgios, even if he is playing at 50 per cent, he's going to win that match."
Topics: Tennis, Nick Kyrgios
Ryan Smart