Nick Kyrgios emerged victorious over Aryna Sabalenka with a straight-sets win in the 2025 edition of the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition, claiming a 6-3, 6-3 result at Dubai’s Coca Cola Arena on Sunday.
The match, staged before a capacity crowd of 17,500, drew global attention despite taking place during a lull in the professional tennis calendar. However, unfortunately for the organisers, most of the interest turned into genuine criticism as soon as the match kicked off, and it got worse as it went on.
The sticking point for most viewers was the rules. Unlike the previous three editions, this exhibition game included a reduced court size on Sabalenka’s side and a one-serve limit. A section of tennis fans felt it was gimmicky and counter-productive
to the social message of equality and recognition that was intended by the legendary Billie Jean King, who defeated her male counterpart Bobby Riggs in the second edition in 1973.
Check the reactions here:
The world is dumber for that match having happened.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) December 28, 2025
This #Battleofthesexes match does nothing for Women’s tennis. Nick Kyrgios is barely trying, they’ve made her side of the court smaller for some dumb reason and they can’t even broadcast it properly. Just an absolute farce all round
— Will Joy (@willjoy13) December 28, 2025
What positives are there to take from watching an obviously unfit Kyrgios beating the world number 1 Sabalenka in straight sets? Not sure there’s anything honestly.
— Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) December 28, 2025
Does Sabalenka even realize how stupid this makes her look? Battle of the Sexes… girl, so embarrassing pic.twitter.com/nJ6uNHDiKp
— ˙⬦ (@quantumgenesys) December 28, 2025
This new so-called “Battle of the Sexes” is neither entertaining nor comfortable to watch
It is such an insult to everything that the Great Billie Jean King has fought for & accomplished (over a period of decades) for women in tennis, in all of sport & for women all over the…
— TennisHYPEMedia (@TennisHypeMedia) December 28, 2025
So as expected #battleofthesexes was a terrible watch and does women’s sport no favours at all. I hope the money was worth it Sabalenka.
— Simon (@ovalyellow) December 28, 2025
Sabalanka is an embarrassment to women’s tennis. All that money spent to create the battle of the sexes should have gone into improving and helping women’s tennis for the next generation of tennis players.
— 🤍LISA🤍 (@checkthetea) December 28, 2025
The contest began with both players struggling to find rhythm, as breaks of serve came thick and fast. Sabalenka, the women’s world No. 1, set the early tone with aggressive shot-making, but Kyrgios soon settled, leaning on variation rather than brute force. Mixing underarm serves with clever placement, the former Wimbledon finalist edged clear to take the opening set.
Sabalenka continued to challenge Kyrgios in the second set, repeatedly testing him with sharp backhands and sustained pressure. Kyrgios, still short of match fitness after an injury-hit year that has left him ranked 671, showed flashes of frustration but ultimately asserted control. His ability to finish points at the net and strike decisively off both wings proved decisive as he wrapped up the match in straight sets.
