Dubai: Nick Kyrgios defeated women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a highly publicised ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match in Dubai. The event sparked debate among tennis fans due to its modified rules and symbolic framing.
The former Wimbledon finalist won 6-3, 6-3 in a contest that differed sharply from the historic 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Unlike that landmark match, which carried major implications for women’s tennis and prize money equality, Sunday’s exhibition was staged primarily as entertainment. The 1973 match saw King, then 29 and at the height of her career, defeat the 55-year-old Riggs in straight sets in Houston, helping legitimise the women’s professional tour at a time when female players were fighting for recognition and fair pay.
In Dubai, organisers introduced rule changes to offset Kyrgios’s physical advantages. Each player was limited to a single serve, and Sabalenka’s side of the court was reduced by nine percent to curb Kyrgios’s power and speed.
Despite slipping to 671 in the ATP rankings after playing only six tour matches over the past three seasons, the 30-year-old Australian showed flashes of his best form. He had enough variation and touch to overcome Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, who is six years his junior.
Bobby Riggs and I played in the Battle of the Sexes inside the Houston Astrodome, with a global audience of 90M watching, 52 years ago today.
This was never just a tennis match.
It was about equality, respect, and demonstrating that women belong on the same stage as men, in… pic.twitter.com/lwd8lPj87e
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) September 20, 2025
Kyrgios appeared visibly fatigued during the second set after falling behind 1-3, while Sabalenka stayed loose, dancing to the music during a tactical timeout. The momentum shifted when the Belarusian sent a key shot long, allowing Kyrgios to level at 3-3.
Using well-timed drop shots and smart variations on his serve, Kyrgios pulled clear and closed out the match before sharing a warm embrace with Sabalenka at the net. He later praised his opponent’s competitiveness, saying the match pushed him physically and mentally and required full focus to see through.
Sabalenka, for her part, said she enjoyed the contest and would welcome another chance. She noted that the level was high, the battle intense, and that a rematch would allow her to better anticipate Kyrgios’s tactics and strengths.
The exhibition may not have carried the historical weight of its famous predecessor, but it delivered drama, skill, and conversation, achieving exactly what it set out to do.
