"They stole my idea" - Patrick Mouratoglou makes huge accusation against Kyrgios vs Sabalenka 'Battle of the Sexes'

Tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou has claimed that it was his idea to bring back the 'Battle of the Sexes' with changed rules and that the organizers of the upcoming event 'stole' it. Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will clash in an exhibition match at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday, December 28.

The winner will be decided in three sets, with both players being allowed only one serve per point. Additionally, Sabalenka's half of the court will be reduced by 9%, with the organizers, Evolve agency, arguing that women move around 9% slower than the male athletes.

On the "Off Court with Greg" podcast, former player Greg Rusedski played a clip in which Mouratoglou expressed his displeasure at the organizers 'stealing' his idea of nullifying a male athlete's physical advantage.

"The 'Battle of the Sexes' has existed for 50 years; we all know the story. But to bring it back was my idea. I pitched it to the guys who kind of stole it. So it's fine for this time. They better not do it again. But it's very interesting because I think everybody's wondering what's the level of women compared to men. But it's not a real question because we all know the answer," Mouratoglou said (4:19). "[Changing the rules] was my idea, and it’s not a problem. I'll tell you why. I told them what I wanted to do, and they did it. We know that men are stronger, faster, jump higher than women. You look at all the athletics, it's not a question. But what would happen if there was no physical difference? That's an interesting question, and that's the whole point about it," he continued. "What I wanted to do and what I will do is take away the physical advantage and make it only about the mental skills and tactical skills, and then it's going to be very interesting," Mouratoglou concluded.

According to Tennis365, the 'Battle of the Sexes' organizers confirmed that the changes were indeed suggested by Mouratoglou.

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"It's just not the same" - Billie Jean King on 'Battle of the Sexes' 1973 vs 2025

'Battle of the Sexes' 1973 - Source: Getty

In a revolutionary 'Battle of the Sexes' match in September 1973, tennis legend Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 as part of her fight for women's equality in sports.

During a recent conversation with BBC Sport, King was asked to comment on the upcoming contest between World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. She said:

"The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. That's it. Everything else, no. Ours was about social change, culturally, where we were in 1973. This one is not. I hope it's a great match - I want Sabalenka, obviously, to win - but it's just not the same."

Weighing in on the rule changes, the 82-year-old said:

"I played Bobby three out of five sets. I played on a court and didn't change anything. I said, 'Look, I play straight up or else I'm not going to play'. And Bobby loved it."

Edited by Parag Jain