Nick Kyrgios continues to court controversy ahead of his clash against the world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The Battle of the Sexes takes place on December 28 in Dubai.
The upcoming clash between former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios and the reigning WTA top-ranked star Aryna Sabalenka continues to attract criticism. Kyrgios has now been called a “misogynist” ahead of his encounter with Sabalenka that has been dubbed as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’.
Kyrgios has faced criticism earlier as well for his views that some have described as anti-women. He also admitted to pushing her former girlfriend to the ground even though assault charges levelled against him were dismissed. His clash against Sabalenka, which takes place on December 28 in Dubai, has now been described as a “publicity stunt” which is meant to demean the women’s game.
‘Nick Kyrgios represents misogyny’
Broadcaster Katherine Whittaker came down heavily on the Australian superstar and said that Kyrgios will actually be fighting to uphold misogyny in the Dubai showdown.
“Nick Kyrgios, a man that stands for something, he represents something. And that’s not an accident. He’s choosing to stand for and represent misogyny that is his brand. This is what Nick Kyrgios will be representing and fighting for in the self-titled Battle of the Sexes,” Whitaker said in the latest edition of the Tennis Podcast.
“This event is a dog whistle. It feels like a dog whistle publicity stunt. A symbol of the populist Trumpian age of do-whistles and division and stupidity,” she added.
Whitaker has criticised the event earlier as well, calling it a publicity stunt where women’s tennis has nothing to gain.
“I see absolutely nothing to be gained for women’s tennis – I see only bleakness,” she had told BBC Sport.
“It’s a crass commercial venture and a vehicle for one of the most outspoken misogynists in tennis who just wants attention.
“If Sabalenka wins, she beats a man who is unfit and has been a total irrelevance for a number of years. What does she win? Nothing. Unless she wins 6-0 6-0, people will only find ammunition to fire at women’s tennis.
“If Kyrgios wins, he and others of the same mind will claim it legitimises everything he’s already spewing out. It’s disgusting to be giving him a platform,” she said.
Kyrgios has not played regularly for the past few years now due to his knee issues while Sabalenka is at the top of her game. Despite criticism, the two have been promoting their clash.
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