Dubai, Sunday 28 December 2025 — Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1 in women’s tennis, was defeated 6–3, 6–3 by Nick Kyrgios in a high-profile ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition that promised drama but delivered a subdued, carefully managed spectacle.
The match, staged in Dubai during the off-season, was promoted as a modern tribute to Billie Jean King’s 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs and marketed as a landmark moment for tennis entertainment. Instead, it unfolded as a tightly controlled exhibition shaped by commercial interests and modified rules rather than genuine sporting rivalry. As The WP Times reports, citing BBC Sport, the contest struggled to generate the intensity or emotional weight that had been promised in weeks of global promotion.
Both players had fuelled anticipation with combative media appearances. Sabalenka told US television audiences she would “kick Nick’s ass”, while Kyrgios insisted the event would “bring new eyes to tennis”. But once on court, the tone shifted. What followed was not a fierce contest between two elite competitors, but an off-season showpiece played within clear physical and tactical limits.
Despite restrictions designed to narrow the physical gap — including a one-serve rule for Kyrgios and a reduced court size for Sabalenka — the Australian controlled the rhythm of the match. His ability to shorten points, dominate at the net and redirect pace allowed him to dictate play, even as he conserved energy ahead of a hoped-for return to the ATP Tour in 2026 after years of injury.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, produced moments of trademark aggression and flair, often smiling after well-constructed points. Afterwards, she struck a defiant tone.
“I felt great. I think I put up a great fight. I made a lot of great shots, went to the net and used drop shots. I really enjoyed the show,” she said.
“Next time when I play him, I already know his tactics and it will be a better match. I love to challenge myself and I’d love to play again.”
Kyrgios was equally diplomatic, praising Sabalenka while acknowledging the unusual nature of the event.
“She is a hell of a player and a great champion,” he said.
“I didn’t really know what to expect. It was just another great opportunity to go out there.”
The two players, who share the same management agency, exchanged jokes during the match and ended it with a friendly embrace at the net — a scene that underlined how far the event sat from true competitive sport.
The exhibition, however, was not without controversy. Critics had already questioned Kyrgios’s suitability as the male face of the event, while others argued that no amount of rule-tweaking could ever produce a genuinely fair contest between elite male and female professionals. What was intended to honour one of tennis’s most powerful historical moments instead reopened a broader debate: whether modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’ events celebrate equality — or quietly undermine it.
Read about the life of Westminster and Pimlico district, London and the world. 24/7 news with fresh and useful updates on culture, business, technology and city life: Six Kings Slam 2025 Final in Riyadh – Alcaraz vs Sinner live today on Netflix, $13.5M prize
