Tennis, Sabalenka-Kyrgios and the battle of the sexes: “We will have fun”

Journalist

December 28 – 09:57 – MILANO

They called it the same way, because memory retains a charm that surpasses time and generations. But if the “Battle of the Sexes” of 20 September 1973, the most famous of all, i.e. the challenge between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, ended up representing the manifesto of the demands of a women’s tennis that was beginning to become aware of its own role and intrinsic strength (the year before, for the success in Paris, King took 15,000 dollars less than Nastase, the winner of the men’s tournament), today’s one in Dubai between Sabalenka and the now former bad boy Kyrgios is merely a theatrical homage to show business.

the motivations

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As long as it’s talked about, that is. Historical eras have definitely changed, today the popularity of tennis is global and its champions rival footballers in people’s passions, but there is still the need to look for new markets and new fans, especially in the younger age groups. And then a couple of key issues remain on the table: despite the enormous progress, equal economic treatment not yet achieved between male and female players remains a hot topic; and then, the eternal dilemma of what the strongest girl in the world can do when there is a man on the other side of the net continues to fascinate. Here, the new battle of the sexes (which will be broadcast live on Supertennis at 5pm) will try to give some answers, without however needing to load it with too deep meanings. But it is good and right that, if it has to be a circus, at least the number one in the world puts her face to it, honest in her approach: “I know: in the 1973 match they were trying to fight for different things. We are here to take tennis to another level and to give visibility to our sport, to help it grow. I feel that women have already shown that they deserve equality and for my part I will simply show that we are capable of fighting great against a man and having fun. It is also a great message for the girls out there, I hope they watch and see how strong and tough I am, and that I have the courage to challenge myself by playing with a man.”

the rules

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And even the choice of opponent is functional, except that they are managed by the same manager: Kyrgios has been loved, hated, has caused discussion throughout his career and in any case has had an important media impact, as well as having played in a Wimbledon final in 2022. The Australian was number 13 in the world, has now dropped to number 671 and has played six matches in three years, but wants to return and is looking for a relaunch. In short, the objective is for there to be balance, even if the difference in physical power and ball speed remains, as the Belarusian champion also recognizes (“On a normal court it would be really difficult to compete”), so much so that she recommends ad hoc rules to shorten the distances: both will have only one serve available, but the part of the court where Sabalenka will play (which will not change) will be reduced in size by 9% “to reflect the average differences in the speed of movement between men and women”. Best of three sets match, but instead of the last set, a ten-point tie-break match will be played. The prize money was not revealed, and the public still showed its appreciation sight unseen: the Coca-Cola Arena, with tickets from a minimum of 110 euros to a maximum of 1050, will be sold out with 17,000 spectators. Meanwhile, from distant America, Billie Jean King, the heroine of 52 years ago, follows the story with due detachment: “The only similar thing is that a boy and a girl face each other, my challenge represented equality, freedom, equal pay for equal work, it was the symbol of social change. Having said that, I obviously hope that Sabalenka wins”. But history, this time, will look the other way.