Kyrgios defeats Sabalenka in battle of the sexes

Nick Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 on Sunday in a “Battle of the sexes” exhibition match billed as a modern version of Billie Jean King’s famous victory over Bobby Riggs more than 50 years ago, but which sparked controversy over its relevance and meaning.

THE shock between Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, and Kyrgios, a former world number 13, was billed as entertainment, but critics warned it risked reducing women’s tennis to a sideshow and trivializing its progress toward equality.

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The match that gave the event its name was the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes”, when women’s tennis pioneer King beat 55-year-old former Grand Slam winner Riggs, who had declared that the level of women’s tennis could never match that of men’s tennis.

King told the BBC that although this year’s clash carried the same slogan, it lacked the stakes of her clash with Riggs, a contest she described as a fight for social change in a very different cultural era.

“I don’t think many people would have raised their hand to take this position, especially in my position,” Kyrgios said.

“Obviously Aryna was up for the challenge. The score was closer than it was. I was under the pump there…and then everything happens once the crowd is behind it. I was nervous.”

Playing in front of a packed house at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, Kyrgios negotiated the slightly smaller “equalizing” pitch of women’s world number one Sabalenka’s team to secure victory after an entertaining match played under modified rules.

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With a one serve per point rule in effect, both players faltered with their deliveries in crucial moments before Kyrgios took a 4-3 lead and won the first set.

The maverick Australian was drenched in sweat and appeared out of breath in the second set after going down 1-3, while his opponent danced to the music during a strategic timeout, but he persevered to make it 3-3 after Sabalenka sent a long shot.

Unlike Riggs, who had long retired from the men’s tour when he faced fellow American King, Kyrgios is an active player on the ATP Tour even though his recent seasons have been marred by a succession of wrist and knee injuries.

The former Wimbledon finalist, a major asset on and off the court thanks to his natural talent and charisma, has managed just five professional singles matches in 2025.

“Great opportunity”

“It was a really tough match,” added Kyrgios.

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“She’s such a competitor and such a great champion. Obviously, she’s a multiple Grand Slam champion. And I didn’t really know what to expect.

“Like I said before this whole event, whatever role I had to play, it was another great opportunity to come here. She broke my serve a few times. And honestly, I had to tie her up because she was putting the pressure on, hitting amazing shots. I would love to play her again and show off her talent and also what I have left in the tank. Ultimately, it was a very tough battle and there were breaks both ways.

“To see someone as great as Aryna here, and myself, it’s truly a sight and I think it’s a big step forward for the sport of tennis.”

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

“I think I put up a great fight,” Sabalenka said.

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“He was struggling. He got really tight. I’m happy to see the guy got tight and (afterwards) took away one of my serves. I think it was a good level.

“I made a lot of great shots, moved around the net a lot…great ground shots, Nick, great serve. I really enjoyed the show and I feel like the next time I play him I already know the tactics. I know his strengths, his weaknesses, and it will definitely be a better match.”

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