TENNIS: Kyrgios beats Sabalenka in 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown

DUBAI – Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3, 6‑3 on Sunday in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match, billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King’s famous victory over Bobby Riggs more than 50 years ago. The event, however, sparked debate over its relevance and meaning.

The matchup featured four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka against former world No. 13 Kyrgios. While promoted as entertainment, critics warned that the event risked reducing women’s tennis to a sideshow and trivializing the sport’s progress toward equality.

The original “Battle of the Sexes” took place in 1973, when women’s tennis pioneer King defeated 55-year-old former Grand Slam champion Riggs, who had claimed that women’s tennis could never match the men’s game. King told the BBC that although this year’s exhibition carried the same tagline, it lacked the stakes of her historic showdown, which she described as a fight for social change in a very different cultural era.

“I don’t think many people would have put their hand up to be in this position, especially in my position,” Kyrgios said. “Obviously, Aryna was up for the challenge. The scoreline was closer than it looks. I was under the pump there … and then anything happens once the crowd gets behind it. I was nervous.”

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, Kyrgios navigated the slightly smaller “equalizer” court on Sabalenka’s side to secure victory in an entertaining contest played under modified rules.

With a one-serve-per-point format, both players struggled on key deliveries. Kyrgios broke Sabalenka for a 4-3 lead and went on to take the first set. In the second set, after falling behind 1-3, Kyrgios rallied to tie the match at 3-3 following a long shot from Sabalenka. Despite appearing exhausted and drenched in sweat, he maintained his composure to clinch the win.

Unlike Riggs, who had retired from the men’s tour when he faced King, Kyrgios is an active ATP Tour player, though his recent seasons have been marred by wrist and knee injuries. The former Wimbledon runner-up played just five professional singles matches in 2025.

“Great Opportunity”

“It was a really tough match,” Kyrgios said. “She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion. Obviously, she’s a multiple Grand Slam winner. I didn’t really know what to expect. Whatever role I was to play, it was another great opportunity to go out here. She broke my serve numerous times, and I had to strap it because she was putting the pressure on, hitting amazing shots. I would love to play her again and showcase her talent and also what I have left in the tank. Ultimately, it was a hard-fought battle with breaks back and forth. Seeing someone as great as Aryna out here, and myself, it truly is a spectacle and a great stepping stone forward for tennis.”

Kyrgios, who shortened points with cheeky drop shots and varied his serves to good effect, sealed the victory on his serve before sharing a warm embrace with Sabalenka at the net.

“I think I put on a great fight,” Sabalenka said. “He was struggling. He got really tight. I’m happy to see that he got tight and I took one of his serves. I made a lot of great shots, moved to the net well, and enjoyed the show. Next time I play him, I already know his tactics, strengths, and weaknesses. It’s going to be an even better match.”

-Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters