Featured Image Credit: CCTV News
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Tennis
Marcus Chan
Novak Djokovic once took on Li Na in a tennis match branded as the 'battle of the sexes'.
Back in 2013, Djokovic and Li Na were involved in a special event ahead of the China Open in Beijing.
The pair played in a 'battle of the sexes' match to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the tournament.
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Djokovic showed off his Mandarin skills as he spoke to the crowd before cutting a celebratory cake in the centre of the court.
The Serbian then played the role of chair umpire as Li Na took on two kids.
Eventually, the main event came as Djokovic and Li Na faced off.
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During what was a light-hearted match, Li Na asked for a 30-0 advantage for every single game.
With the two-point lead per game, Li Na came out on top by winning the mini set 3-2.
As reported by Tennis World, Djokovic said after the match: "Tonight's exhibition match with Li Na here at the China Open in Beijing was a lot of fun.
"I am always very happy to contribute my time to noble causes such as charities for kids here in China."
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He added: "Tonight's match with Li Na was all about the kids to put a smile on their faces get them excited about tennis and hopefully inspire them to become champions one day.
"I am myself very excited to be back in Beijing where I have a lot of fans supporting me all the time and hopefully I am able to defend my title."
Djokovic ended up winning the 2013 China Open, beating Rafael Nadal in the final 6-3, 6-4.
Meanwhile, Li Na was knocked out by Petra Kvitova in the quarter-finals, with Serena Williams winning the tournament by beating Jelena Jankovic 6-2, 6-2 in the final.
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Since Djokovic vs Li Na in 2013, three more battles of the sexes have took place.
In 2017, British star Johanna Konta took on Aussie legend Pat Cash inside the Westfield shopping centre in London.
The match was played on indoor carpet, with Konta winning 6-3.
Polish tennis stars Hubert Hurkacz and Iga Swiatek faced off in a single tiebreak as part of the opening celebrations for the 2021 WTA Poland Open in Gdynia.
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Swiatek came out on top after winning the tiebreak 7-4.
In 2023, Mirra Andreeva and Yanis Ghazouani Durand played each other in an exhibition match; the then-ATP world number 1145 Ghazouani Durand won 7-5, 6-2.