Billy Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes’ was a landmark occasion in women’s sport. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
When Billie-Jean King took on the outspoken critic of women’s tennis, Bobby Riggs, in the Battle of the Sexes in 1973, there was plenty at stake as women were fighting for equality in the sport.
The 55-year-old Riggs, a former world number one in men’s tennis, was a constant critic of the women’s game, stating that women’s tennis was inferior and that, at his age, he could still beat the top female players.
Then world number one Margaret Court took up the challenge and lost to Riggs before Billie-Jean stepped up and beat Riggs in straight sets.
Although there was a 26-year age difference, the victory was seen as a major breakthrough in the fight for equality and women’s rights.
Fifty-two years later, Nick Kyrgios is preparing to play the women’s world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, in an exhibition match in Dubai on 28 December.
It will be played over two sets with the court specially prepared – it’s 9 per cent smaller and both players will be limited to one serve per point.
Kyrgios effectively threw down the challenge at the US Open, saying he could easily account for Sabalenka. At this point, it is worth noting that both Kyrgios and Sabalenka are represented by Evolve management, which is staging this exhibition match.
Kyrgios, now ranked 652 in the world, has struggled with injuries, playing only six matches in the past three years.
On the surface, it appears to be a money-making exercise rather than a battle for equality, although the financial details haven’t been released and may never become public.
A talented player, Nick Kyrgios will be on show against the women’s world number one in Dubai in December. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
There is also a strong possibility that it will do little to promote the cause of women’s tennis, which already has established critics who consistently deride the women’s game.
If anything, it could be a setback to women’s tennis.
If Kyrgios loses, it will be stated that he has hardly played in the past three years and that Sabalenka was given an advantage in the court dimensions.
If Kyrgios wins, it will provide further ammunition to critics who will compare Kyrgios’ men’s world ranking of 652 with the women’s world number one.
The rankings, though, can be misleading. Kyrgios has slipped in the rankings due to his limited playing time, but on his day, fully fit, he is capable of beating any player in the top 20 of men’s tennis.
Let’s not forget, he has defeated Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.
He hasn’t played since March, so the match will be somewhat of a comeback in which he will be keen to prove a point.
There is no doubt that the match will generate interest due to its novelty value.
To suggest that it is any way a battle of the sexes, I think, is way off the mark.
