"Absolutely stupid": Alizé Cornet criticizes the Battle of the Sexes between Sabalenka and Kyrgios

On the eve of the clash between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios in Dubai, Alizé Cornet denounces an "absurd" exhibition that, according to her, harms the image of women's tennis.

© FADEL SENNA / AFP

Jules Hypolite

le 27/12/2025 à 14h31

1 min to read

Cornet Alizé Kyrgios Nick Sabalenka Aryna

It's tomorrow, at 5 p.m., that the "Battle of the Sexes" between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will take place in Dubai.

A match with specific rules (court reduced by 9% for Kyrgios and only one service ball) that has sparked many criticisms since its official announcement.

"It doesn't give a good image of women's tennis"

On the eve of this exhibition, Alizé Cornet, captain of the French BJK Cup team, did not mince her words on RMC Sport:

"I think it's a huge publicity stunt. The game itself comes second," the former professional player expressed indignantly. "These new rules, especially the one shortening the court for Sabalenka, I find absolutely stupid.

It's really the symbolism that is absurd, and it doesn't give a very good image of women's tennis. While the service rule can be understood with a player like Nick Kyrgios, who can hit four aces in a game.

But reducing the size of the court diminishes and disadvantages Sabalenka's abilities, who can very well hold her own against Nick Kyrgios from the baseline, especially since he is almost retired, not trained, and has a knee like a grapefruit."