Djokovic And Li To Play Battle Of The Sexes

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 24th September 2013

Djokovic And Li To Play Battle Of The Sexes

epa03868734 Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates a point against Canadian tennis player Milos Raonic during the Davis Cup World Group semi final between Serbia and Canada in Belgrade, Serbia, 15 September 2013. EPA/SRDJAN SUKI |

Novak Djokovic and Li Na will compete in a friendly “battle of the sexes” in the run-up to next week’s the China Open for bragging rights during the autumn Asian tennis season on the ATP and WTA Tours.

The all-star pair are due to square off in Beijing at the dual event at the National Tennis Centre. The match comes almost 40 years to the day that the original clash between men and women – Bobby Riggs v Billie Jean King – was staged in Houston.

The hit-and-giggle will be staged to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Beijing tournament which this year is due to feature Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the men’s side with US Open winner Serena Williams and rival Victoria Azarenka in the women’s draw.

Li is a huge sporting icon in the world’s most populous nation after her French Open title in 2011, while Djokovic is well-known at the tournament after winning the title in 2009, 2010 and last year.

Profits from the exhibition will go to help fund the youth tennis development program of the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. The tennis is being staged during the week-long celebrations which annual mark China’s October 1 national day.

Djokovic has had a week off after helping Serbia into the Davis Cup finals against the Czech Republic while WTA No. 5 Li will be resuming tennis after a US Open semi-final against Williams.

Topics: Atp, Billie Jean King, China Open, Li Na, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Tennis, US Open, Victoria Azarenka, Wta