High-profile Australian tennis coach Roger Rasheed has questioned the value of the upcoming “battle of the sexes”-style exhibition match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka.<\/p>\n
The spectacle, due to take place on December 28 in Dubai, will feature modified rules and has drawn comparisons to the famous 1973 clash between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.<\/p>\n
Earlier this week, world number one Sabalenka insisted the match would not damage her career or women’s sport in general<\/a>, but speaking on ABC Sport’s Summer Grandstand program, Rasheed said he was “disappointed” the match was going ahead.<\/p>\n “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest,” Rasheed said.<\/p>\n “I think it’s a lose-lose for the women’s side \u2026 I actually think it’s quite insulting, to be perfectly honest.<\/p>\n “And, you know, I think Nick’s management has put the show on.”<\/p>\n Rasheed, who coached Lleyton Hewitt to the Australian Open final in 2005, also questioned how Sabalenka would benefit from the event.<\/p>\n “I don’t see where there’s one minute, one second of win for the number one player in the world,” he said.<\/p>\n “If you are looking after Sabalenka commercially, is this a place where you want to be?”<\/p>\n Loading…<\/p>\n But speaking to the BBC, which has experienced backlash for committing to broadcasting the match, Sabalenka insisted the it was actually a “win-win situation”.<\/p>\n “I am not putting myself at any risk. We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins,” she said.<\/p>\n “It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that.<\/p>\n “This event is only going to help \u200cbring women’s tennis to a higher level.”<\/p>\n Do you have a story idea about women in sport?<\/p>\n