Belinda Bencic straight up stated that the Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios "should not be called Battle of the Sexes" because that simply wasn't one.
Exactly a week ago, Sabalenka clashed against Kyrgios with her side of the court reduced by 9 percent, and each player only had one serve. The Australian won 6-3 6-3.
Before their highly-anticipated match at the Coca-Cola in Arena, it was labeled "the modern version of Battle of the Sexes." As you probably know, the original Battle of the Sexes took place in 1973, when WTA founder Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs.
Bencic, an 11-time WTA champion and the current world No. 11, kicked off her United Cup campaign by beating Leolia Jeanjean 6-2 6-4. Later in her presser, the Swiss was asked about Sabalenka's remark that her match against Kyrgios would take the women's game to a higher level.
Bencic: That wasn't Battle of the Sexes
"Since we're in an ATP and WTA event, I'm curious what you made of the Battle of the Sexes event a few weeks ago and particularly Sabalenka saying that she thought it would somehow take women's tennis to another level?" the question that Bencic received read.
The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist responded: "My personal opinion is that it shouldn't have been called Battle of the Sexes, because that was something else. Yeah, it was a nice exhibition."
A day earlier, Iga Swiatek was asked a similar question at the United Cup. The six-time Grand Slam champion proceeded to reveal that she didn't watch the match, and that she didn't have any interest in watching it.
"No, I haven't watched, because I don't watch stuff like that," world No. 2 Swiatek said.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka said in her Brisbane International pre-tournament presser that she "needs revenge" against Kyrgios.
