Battle of the Sexes: Kyrgios Defeats Sabalenka

Australian star Nick Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 on Sunday in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition tennis match, billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King’s famous win over Bobby Riggs over 50 years ago.

Playing in front of a sold-out crowd at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena and with a one-serve-per-point rule in effect, both players faltered on their deliveries in crucial moments before Kyrgios broke for a 4-3 lead and went on to take the opening set.

The maverick Australian was drenched in sweat and appeared out of breath in the second set after going 1-3 down.

His opponent danced to the music during a strategic timeout. However, Kyrgios persevered to make it 3-3 after Sabalenka sent a shot long.

Kyrgios, who shortened the points with cheeky drop shots and used variations on his serve to good effect, pulled away and sealed the victory on serve.

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He then shared a warm embrace with Belarusian Sabalenka at the net.

“It was a really tough match,” Kyrgios said. “She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion. Obviously, she’s a multiple Grand Slam champion. And I didn’t really know what to expect.”

“As I said before this whole event, whatever role I was to play, it was another great opportunity to go out here. She broke my serve numerous times. And honestly, I had to strap it because she was putting the pressure on; hitting amazing shots.”

“I would love to play her again and showcase her talent and also what I have left in the tank. Ultimately, it was a really hard-fought battle and there were breaks back and forth.”

“Seeing someone as great as Aryna out here, and myself, it truly is a spectacle and I think this is a great moving stepping stone forward for the sport of tennis,” he added.

The clash between four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka and former world number 13 Kyrgios was billed as entertainment, but critics warned that it risked reducing women’s tennis to a sideshow and trivialising its progress toward equality.

The match that gave the event its name was the 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” when women’s tennis pioneer King beat 55-year-old former Grand Slam winner Riggs, who had said that the standard of women’s tennis could never match that of the men’s game.

“I think I put on a great fight,” Sabalenka said. “He was struggling. He got really tight. I’m happy to see that the guy is getting tight and (after) taking away one of my serves. I think it was a great level.”

“I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net … great drop shots, Nick, great serving. I really enjoyed the show and I feel like the next time when I play him, I already know the tactics.”

“I know his strengths, his weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match for sure,” she concluded.