The upcoming Battle of Sexes event, pitting Nick Kyrgios against Aryna Sabalenka, has sparked widespread discussion among fans and pundits. While opinions remain divided, skepticism has grown in recent weeks, with former British No. 1 Greg Rusedski most recently questioning the event’s purpose and dismissing it as a ‘gimmick.’
Greg Rusedski Casts Doubt on Upcoming Battle of Sexes Event Featuring Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka
The much-anticipated showdown is scheduled for December 28 at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena and will be contested on indoor hard courts. The event is being organized by Evolve, the management firm that took over Aryna Sabalenka’s representation in January 2025 following her split with IMG, and has also managed Nick Kyrgios’ career since 2022.
The scale of anticipation reflects the event’s ambition to recapture the impact of Billie Jean King’s historic victory over Bobby Riggs nearly 52 years ago. It is worth noting that the landmark Battle of the Sexes clash in 1973 captivated a global audience, with almost 90 million viewers tuning in.
As preparations for the event unfolded, a wave of questions emerged over whether it truly promotes women’s tennis or is merely a marketing gimmick. Former British player Rusedski recently raised concerns, questioning why Sabalenka’s court will be reduced by 9% and why only one serve is allowed. For context, these adjustments are done to balance out physical differences and ensure a more competitive spectacle.
“For it to be a real Battle of the Sexes, the court dimensions have to be the same and it has to be tennis. It could be one set, but it has to be two serves. The court size has to be the same because that’s the way tennis is played,” he said on the second episode of the Off Court with Greg podcast.
He broke down the event into three possibilities: liking it, disliking it, or seeing it as a gimmick, eventually labeling it as such.
“There are three questions here. Yes you like it, no you don’t like it or is it a gimmick… and my opinion is I find it gimmicky,” he added.
The scrutiny surrounding the event isn’t new. Australian coach Roger Rasheed has been equally critical, branding the concept a “lose-lose” for women and questioning its merit for Sabalenka. He contended that the event offers minimal competitive advantage or commercial value for the World No. 1.
Sabalenka arrives at the contest fresh from exhibitions in Atlanta and New York. In fact, she had a stellar 2025 campaign, finishing 63–12 and claiming four titles, highlighted by her victory at the US Open. Kyrgios continues to face a challenging period due to recurring injuries, with his latest appearance on tour coming at the Mubadala Citi DC Open.
