Although there’s a saying in the advertising world that goes, “let them talk about you, even if it’s bad,” Aryna Sabalenka has surely felt her ears burning after Garbiñe Muguruza’s reflection on the difference between men’s and women’s tennis.
“I think even a junior would beat me when I was No. 1,” said the 2016 Roland Garros and 2017 Wimbledon champion in an interview with El Partidazo on Cope.
The comment is a blow to the Belarusian’s pride. Sabalenka is in full promotional mode for her match against Nick Kyrgios on 28 December in Dubai — dubbed by many as a new edition of the “Battle of the Sexes” — and she has been letting her tongue run freely.
“I’m going to beat him easily,” the current world No. 1 said. Obviously, even a beginner in marketing knows what this is about: giving visibility to a match that, it must be remembered, is organised by Evolve, the agency that represents both Sabalenka and Kyrgios. Always read the fine print when it comes to exhibitions.
Putting aside the promotional purpose of the event, it’s possible that Sabalenka genuinely believes she can beat Kyrgios on a tennis court. She is ambitious and carries a fire and intensity that have pushed her to heights unreachable for most: in addition to reaching No. 1, the Belarusian has won four Grand Slam titles and reached three other finals in the last three seasons. She has done it with raw power, hitting the ball faster than many players on the ATP Tour.
That, together with Kyrgios’s current situation — he hasn’t played since March and is far from the shape that once took him close to the ATP top ten — are the two reasons Sabalenka dares to dream about winning in Dubai. But the reality, in Muguruza’s eyes, is very different.
Speaking to Cope after being announced as the new co-director of the Mutua Madrid Open alongside Feliciano López, the Spaniard gave a view far removed from what Sabalenka is now promoting.
“I’ve had so many sparring partners, and every time I had to play a practice set against them, I’d end up super frustrated. How can it be that I can’t win a set against someone who isn’t even a professional player, someone who’s just a sparring?” said Muguruza, who spent four weeks as world No. 1 in 2017.
“The difference is huge. It’s not just power — physically… the muscles, the stamina a man has to play a match… There are so many things. I have two brothers and I’ve never beaten them,” added the Caracas-born player.
“A man ranked 1000 in the ATP, or even unranked, can be far superior to a woman who is top ten. Aryna has a very powerful serve, very powerful shots, but if you go long rallies, sooner or later…”
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Sabalenka and Kyrgios are set to face each other on 28 December in Dubai. Despite the promotion, the match is far from being a real “Battle of the Sexes” like the one Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs played in 1973, Muguruza says, noting that Sabalenka will be competing on a smaller court. Both players will also only be allowed one serve.
“It’s more of a show — it has nothing to do with the Battle of the Sexes, with what Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs meant. That was incredible,” Muguruza said.
King herself drew a clear line in a conversation with the BBC: “My match was for social change; this one isn’t.”
Muguruza added: “This is entertainment. I think they’ll play seriously, but the idea is for it to be a show and for the fans to have a good time.”
