The Tennis Podcast Cheap, flat and shallow. Did anyone really win the Battle of the Sexes?
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Dec 29, 2025 Charlie Eccleshare, a journalist for The Athletic, joins the conversation to dissect the recent Battle of the Sexes event. The discussion reveals how the reality fell short of expectations, highlighting its lack of stakes and cheap production. They analyze Juan Carlos Ferrero's split from Carlos Alcaraz, exploring the absence of dialogue and the potential for future reunions. Looking ahead, they preview the United Cup and discuss Jack Draper's injury, the implications for Team GB, and the excitement surrounding early-season tournaments.
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Event Looked Cheap And Flat
- The Battle of the Sexes match felt cheap, flat and underproduced rather than a meaningful spectacle.
- Its poor production risked reinforcing negative narratives about women's tennis despite participants' intentions.
Production Fail Undermined Entertainment
- Matt Roberts expected the worst and found the spectacle bland with technical glitches and no mic'd player banter.
- Lack of atmosphere and cheap visuals made the event feel hollow rather than entertaining.
Caught Between Show And Sport
- The event occupied a confused middle: neither serious competition nor fully committed entertainment.
- That ambivalence amplified backlash and left the match feeling pointless in context of real tour stakes.