Former player Alizé Cornet deplored the specific rules of the exhibition match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios on the occasion of the new episode of the “Battle of the Sexes”.
Less than 24 hours before the “Battle of the Sexes” between No. 673 in the ATP rankings Nick Kyrgios and world number one Aryna Sabalenka in an exhibition match, Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet let out a rant. Specific rules are introduced to try to balance the duel: the Australian will only be allowed one service while the Belarusian’s court surface will be 9% smaller than that of his opponent. Adjustments far from being to the taste of the former player.
«These new rules, in particular that of having shortened the court for Sabalenka, I find it absolute stupidity. As for the rule of service, it can be understood with a player like Nick Kyrgios who can make four aces in a game, I think that if we want to give a bit of a show to people, we don’t want there to be only aces“, estimated the consultant on RMC.
« C“It’s really a huge PR stunt and not very successful”
Alizé Cornet
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The new captain of the French women’s Billie Jean King Cup team continues: “Why did she (Sabalenka) accept these rules? Why did she agree to reduce the field when she is the world number 1? For two years she has dominated the women’s circuit head and shoulders, she can still play on a normal court against Nick Kyrgios (…) especially since he is semi-retired.
It’s really the symbolism that is absurd and it doesn’t give a very good image of women’s tennis. Afterwards in terms of level of play, I think there can be a good match in a very factual way but on the other hand everything there is around it is really a huge publicity stunt and a not very successful publicity stunt. So in the end, I’m not convinced by the principle. I find it a bit of a shame to take it that way.”
