Nick Kyrgios earned a straight-sets victory against Aryna Sabalenka in a highly publicised Battle of the Sexes exhibition match on Sunday at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena. The encounter utilised modified court dimensions and unique serve restrictions in an attempt to bridge the divide between men’s and women’s professional tennis, attracting widespread attention from the sport and its global audience.
Nick Kyrgios Appreciates Aryna Sabalenka After the Battle of the Sexes
Following his 6-3, 6-3 triumph, Kyrgios offered measured and respectful commentary on his opponent, reflecting the genuine competitiveness of the contest. The Australian acknowledged the difficulty of the match, describing it as “a really tough match” and immediately recognising Sabalenka’s standing within the sport.
“She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion. She’s a multiple Grand Slam champion,” Kyrgios stated in his post-match interview.
Kyrgios after beating Sabalenka in Battle of the Sexes match
Nick: “It was a really tough match. She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion. She’s a multiple grand slam champion. I didn’t really know what to expect. As I said before this event, whatever role I was to… pic.twitter.com/URGDaakRJ7
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 28, 2025
Rather than basking in victory, Kyrgios appeared reluctant to claim sole credit for the win. “I wouldn’t call myself the champ tonight. Seeing someone as great as Aryna out here and myself, it truly is a spectacle,” he explained. His remarks suggested that the match held significance for tennis beyond its result.
Kyrgios was particularly impressed with Sabalenka’s technical execution and movement throughout the 77-minute match. “She’s an amazing athlete. I thought when she was moving side to side, and she hit some shots that some of these top men players, the gap is closer,” he noted.
He further emphasised the competitive nature of their encounter by referencing their training sessions together. “We practiced a couple times. She was right there. It could’ve gone either way. I’m not even joking,” Kyrgios concluded, underscoring that despite the final score, Sabalenka’s performance merited genuine respect.
The Battle of the Sexes Match Between Sabalenka and Kyrgios
The Battle of the Sexes utilised two significant rule modifications designed to create a competitive balance between both players. Organisers reduced Sabalenka’s side of the court by 9% in both length and width, whilst both players competed with only one serve per point rather than the standard two serves.
The one-serve rule proved particularly contentious during negotiations, as Kyrgios initially resisted Sabalenka receiving two serves whilst he had one, arguing it would place him at an insurmountable disadvantage.
The match itself proved to be closely contested during its opening stages, with alternating breaks of serve suggesting that the single-serve restriction affected both competitors’ service games. Kyrgios eventually stabilised his serving and claimed the first set 6-3.
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Sabalenka mounted a challenge in the second set, establishing a 3-1 lead before Kyrgios responded with three consecutive games to take control at 4-3. The Australian maintained his momentum thereafter, securing the match in approximately 77 minutes when Sabalenka hit a backhand into the net.
The exhibition drew criticism from tennis figures, including Billie Jean King, who defeated Bobby Riggs in the original 1973 Battle of the Sexes. King distanced herself from the modern version, emphasising that her historic victory carried social significance tied to the women’s liberation movement, whilst this contest existed primarily as entertainment.
Despite the controversy, both players defended the match as a way of engaging broader audiences with professional tennis.
