Jan 3 (Reuters) - World number two ‌Iga Swiatek said women's tennis was strong enough to thrive without controversial gender-based singles ‌matches like the recent "Battle of the Sexes" between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna ‌Sabalenka.

Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios defeated women's world number one Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 in the Dubai exhibition on Sunday despite several rule tweaks implemented by the organisers to level the playing field.