Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 on Sunday in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match, a modern reimagining of Billie Jean King’s iconic victory over Bobby Riggs more than 50 years ago, but one that sparked debate over its relevance and message.
The contest between four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka and former world number 13 Kyrgios was promoted as entertainment, though critics cautioned it risked trivialising women’s tennis and undermining decades of progress toward equality.
The original “Battle of the Sexes” in 1973 saw King defeat 55-year-old Riggs in a match widely viewed as a landmark moment for gender equality in sport. King told the BBC that while this year’s exhibition carried the same label, it lacked the social and cultural stakes of her historic contest.
Played before a sold-out crowd at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, the match featured modified rules, including a smaller “equaliser” court on Sabalenka’s side and a one-serve-per-point format. Both players struggled on serve at key moments before Kyrgios broke to take a 4-3 lead and close out the first set.
In the second set, Kyrgios appeared fatigued after falling 1-3 behind, while Sabalenka remained relaxed during a strategic timeout. However, Kyrgios recovered to level at 3-3 and went on to secure the win after Sabalenka sent a shot long.
Unlike Riggs, who was long retired when he faced King, Kyrgios remains an active ATP Tour player, despite recent seasons being hampered by wrist and knee injuries. The former Wimbledon finalist, known for his flair and on-court charisma, played just five professional singles matches in 2025.
