More than 50 years after the original “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, the men finally get their revenge with Nick Kyrgios defeating No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Sunday, December 28.
Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in the exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates, although neither player really took the match too seriously. Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena was the venue for entertainment as both players indulged in underhanded serves, excessive grunting and even a few dances to entertain the crowd.
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This “battle of the sexes” was a throwback to the legendary 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome, which King won in straight sets. This monumental event took place amid King’s efforts to launch a women’s tour and achieve equal pay in tennis. But the 2025 version had no such stakes or greater cultural significance.
What is the world ranking of Kyrgios and Sabalenka?
Aryna Sabalenka is currently the best female tennis player in the world. She is ranked No. 1 in the rankings WTA Ranking.
The 27-year-old Belarusian has won four Grand Slam tournaments – the 2023 and 2024 Australian Open and the 2024 and 2025 US Open – and 21 WTA tournaments in total. She was also named WTA Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025.
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Kyrgios has had a successful tennis career, even finishing second at Wimbledon in 2022. Since then, however, Kyrgios has only played six tour-level matches due to wrist and knee injuries. In December 2025, it is ranked 670th in the rankings ATP Ranking.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Novak Djokovic knocks out learner Tien in their first round match.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Novak Djokovic knocks out learner Tien in their first round match.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Emma Navarro serves against Yafan Wang in their first round match. Navarro won the match 7-6 (11-9), 6-3.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: McCartney Kessler faces Magda Linette in the first round. Kessler won the match 7-5, 7-5.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Marketa Vondrousova returns a shot to Oksana Selekhmeteva in the first round. Vondrousova won the match 6-3, 7-6 (7-3).
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Aryna Sabalenka knocks out Rebeka Masarova in their first round match. Sabalenka won the match 7-5, 6-1.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Leylah Fernandez attempts a backhand against Rebecca Marino in their first round match. Fernandez won the match 6-2, 6-1.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Leylah Fernandez serves against Rebecca Marino in the first round.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Emma Raducanu hits the ball to Ena Shibahara during their first round match. Racanu won the match 6-1, 6-2.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Emma Raducanu serves the ball to Ena Shibahara.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Ben Shelton reacts after hitting a winner against Ignacio Buse.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Ben Shelton knocks out Ignacio Buse in the first round. Shelton won the match 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Ignacio Buse hits Ben Shelton during their first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Ben Shelton knocks out Ignacio Buse during their first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: Alejandro Davidovich signs autographs for fans after his first-round match against Alexander Shevchenko. Davidovitch won the match 6-1, 6-1, 6-2.
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The best photos from the US Open 2025, the last tennis Grand Slam of the year
August 24: View of Louis Armstrong Stadium during the first round of the US Open.
Will Kyrgios, Sabalenka play again?
After their match, Sabalenka expressed interest in playing Kyrgios again, hoping to get some “revenge”.
“I feel like the next time I face him I will know his tactics, his strengths and his weaknesses,” Sabalenka said. “It will be a better match, that’s for sure.”
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Did Sabalenka gain any advantages in the match?
Yes. In an effort to create a fairer experience, Sabalenka’s side of the court was about 10% smaller, making it more difficult for Kyrgios to land shots.
Nick Kyrgios controversy
Kyrgios was a controversial choice for this “Battle of the Sexes” match. Not only did the 30-year-old Australian plead guilty to pushing an ex-girlfriend during an argument in 2021, but he also already opposed to equal pay in men’s and women’s tennis.
