Roger Rasheed has described the contest between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka as ‘insulting.’
There has been lots of hype heading into the contest which will take place on the 28th of December in Dubai under modified rules.
It’s a contest that has been put into question as to how much benefit it will do for women’s tennis with Sabalenka initially defending the concept, “I am not putting myself at any risk,” Sabalenka was quoted by the ABC website as telling BBC, who will broadcast the event.
“We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins. It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that. This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.”
However former tennis coach Roger Rasheed has hit out at the event as he spoke to ABC Sports.
The Australian doesn’t understand what benefit it will do for Sabalenka or indeed women’s tennis, “I’m not a fan of it, to be honest,” Rasheed stated.
“I’m pretty disappointed it’s on. I think Nick’s management has put this show on. The court’s nine per cent smaller on one side because apparently data shows that the women’s side of the game, their movement is by less than nine per cent.
“The Billy Jean King and Riggs event was about something else … I’m not a fan of it, to be honest. I think it’s a lose-lose for the women’s side … I actually think it’s quite insulting, to be perfectly honest. I don’t see where there’s one minute, one second of win for the number one player in the world.
“If you are looking after Sabalenka commercially, is this a place where you want to be?”
Time will tell whether the event has any long-term benefits but for the time being the event has more critics than plaudits.
