“Seem like authentic stupidity to me”: Alize Cornet criticises symbolism behind Sabalenka–Kyrgios spectacle

Former world number 11 Alize Cornet has voiced strong opposition to the regulations governing the upcoming exhibition "The Battle of the Sexes", between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. Speaking on the RMC radio program "Les Grandes Gueules du Sport," the Frenchwoman expressed deep skepticism regarding the event's sporting value. Cornet suggested that the spectacle has been overshadowed by marketing strategies that prioritize optics over competitive integrity.

The controversy centers on the decision to reduce the court dimensions for Sabalenka, the reigning world number one. Cornet argued that such modifications are unnecessary and detrimental to the perception of the women's game. "I am waiting to see what happens, with some curiosity, but not too much, because I think it is a great publicity stunt, to be honest."

This critique comes as Sabalenka concludes a dominant 2025 season, while Kyrgios continues to struggle with physical fitness following a long hiatus from the professional ATP Tour. The Australian has played only a handful of tournaments this year, with his last appearance being at the Miami Open back in March.

Cornet acknowledged that while some adjustments, such as serve limitations, might facilitate a longer rally, the overall package remains unconvincing. To Cornet, the 9 percent reduction in court size serves no practical purpose other than to create a forced narrative of equality that ignores Sabalenka’s actual talent. "I have the impression that there is nothing more than advertising and that, in the end, the game only remains in the background."

For Cornet, the primary issue lies in the symbolic nature of the court reduction rather than its technical impact on the match. She noted that the removal of a few centimeters will be barely perceptible to the audience but significantly damages the image of the sport. The former professional believes that the focus on "publicity" has ultimately pushed the actual game into the background.

"These new rules, especially the one that shortens the court for Sabalenka, seem like authentic stupidity to me. Although the serve rule is understandable with a player like Nick Kyrgios, who can hit four aces in a game, I think if we want to give a bit of a show, we don't want them to be just aces."

The critique further explored how these regulations fail to provide a genuine representation of high-level tennis. Cornet expressed disappointment that the encounter is being approached through a lens of gimmicks rather than pure sport. She maintained that a factual, competitive match could have occurred without the need for what she describes as an unsuccessful and unconvincing advertising trick.

"It is true that if we had stayed there, it could have been something great, but now, with this reduction of the court, we won't even be able to observe it because, in short, only a few centimeters are eliminated," the 38-year-old Frenchwoman added. "It is really the symbolism that is absurd and does not give a good image of women's tennis. As for the level of play, I think there could be a good match in a purely factual sense, but everything surrounding it is actually a big and unsuccessful advertising trick. So, in short, I am not convinced by the principle. I think it's a shame to approach it from this perspective."

Cornet specifically questioned Sabalenka's decision to accept these terms given her status as the top player in the world. Having watched the Belarusian dominate the circuit, Cornet insists that Sabalenka is more than capable of holding her own against a male counterpart.

"Why did she accept these rules? Why did she accept reducing the size of the court being the number one in the world? For two years she has dominated the women's circuit; surely she can play on a normal court against Nick Kyrgios."

The disparity in the players' current physical states makes the rule changes even more controversial in Cornet's view. Kyrgios enters the exhibition with minimal match practice and ongoing physical ailments, contrasting sharply with Sabalenka’s peak form.

Cornet concluded that the rules effectively diminish the standing of the female athlete by protecting her from a competitor who is currently far from his professional best. "It is to diminish and devalue the capabilities of Sabalenka who can defend herself perfectly against Nick Kyrgios from the baseline, especially because he is semi-retired, he is not trained and has a knee swollen like a grapefruit."