World #2 Iga Swiatek is back in action as she opens her 2026 season at the United Cup team event later this week. Swiatek has made a habit of starting her seasons in good form at United Cup in recent years, with Team Poland reaching the final on two occasions largely on the back of her performances.
During her pre-event press conference, Swiatek addressed a wide range of topics, including the United Cup, her off-season preparation, and broader developments in tennis — most notably the recently staged “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition that took place last week, an event the six-time major champion was notably unimpressed by.
When asked whether she had watched or paid attention to the highly controversial exhibition, Swiatek made her stance clear.
“No, I haven’t watched, because I don’t watch stuff like that. I think for sure it attracted, like, a lot of attention. It was an entertainment, but I wouldn’t say that had anything to do with, like, social change or any important topics. I think the name was just the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in 1973. That’s it. 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.”
Swiatek’s remarks, not only about the exhibition itself but also about the idea that women’s tennis needs such events to grow, echo the prevailing sentiment across much of the tennis world. Numerous media members and fans have expressed similar views, suggesting that the exhibition lacked genuine historical or sporting significance and was ultimately a hollow echo of its iconic 1973 namesake.
Sabalenka Eyes Rematch
Despite the criticism, both Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios have already made it clear that they are open to a rematch. Sabalenka, in particular, has spoken openly about wanting another opportunity after reflecting on the event following her arrival in Brisbane.
“I think I would definitely do it again. I love revenge and I don’t like to leave it the way it is. And I think for the next match we’ll come up with a different format because before the match, I didn’t realise that I have to adjust as well and it was a bit tricky for me as well… We will do it again, I need the revenge.”
As the 2026 season gets underway, the two top players in the women’s game find themselves holding starkly different views on the exhibition. Both Swiatek and Sabalenka will use early-season warm-up events to sharpen their form ahead of the first Major of the year, where a potential showdown between the pair would be one of the most pivotal matches tennis has to offer currently.
Main photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
