Nick Kyrgios Wins “Battle of the Sexes” Exhibition Match Against Aryna Sabalenka
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — In a highly anticipated exhibition match, Nick Kyrgios emerged victorious against top-ranked women’s player Aryna Sabalenka, winning 6-3, 6-3 in the latest iteration of the “Battle of the Sexes” in tennis. The match, held at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, was more of a light-hearted entertainment event rather than a landmark moment for gender equality.
The atmosphere was lively, with both players engaging in joking and laughing, and even some under-arm serves and over-the-top grunting on shots. Sabalenka was also seen dancing during a timeout, entertaining the crowd, which included spectators who paid nearly $800 for the most expensive tickets. Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, appeared to be holding back at times, and faced a disadvantage with Sabalenka’s side of the court being nearly 10% smaller in an attempt to level the playing field. The players were given only one serve per point, rather than the traditional two.
Kyrgios was visibly exhausted by the time he clinched victory off his third match point, and the pair shared a smile as they embraced at the net. Kyrgios acknowledged feeling nervous and having to “strap in” for the match. “I think this is a great stepping-stone for the sport of tennis,” the Australian said.
Preparation for the Australian Open
Sabalenka viewed the match as good preparation for the upcoming Australian Open in January and expressed her desire to play Kyrgios again to exact “revenge.” “Really enjoyed the show,” she said, “and I feel like next time I play him I’m going to know the tactics, his strengths and his weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match, for sure.”
The “Battle of the Sexes” name was borrowed from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets in the Houston Astrodome. That match was a significant moment in the fight for gender equality in tennis, as King was advocating for equal pay and opportunities for female players. In contrast, the latest iteration had no real wider cultural significance, with Sabalenka and Kyrgios simply aiming to put on a show and engage a younger audience.
A Controversial Choice
Kyrgios’s participation in the match was notable, given his past controversies, including pleading guilty to shoving a former girlfriend to the ground during an argument in 2021. He has also previously expressed opposition to equal pay in tennis, which has sparked debate and criticism within the tennis community. Despite this, the match was seen as an opportunity for both players to entertain and make a profit, with the event arranged by their shared agency, Evolve.
As the tennis world looks to the future, events like the “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match serve as a reminder of the sport’s ability to bring people together and provide entertainment. While the match may not have carried the same significance as its 1973 counterpart, it demonstrated the sport’s capacity to evolve and adapt, with a focus on engaging new audiences and promoting the game.
