Unsurprisingly, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios has defeated women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the latest “battle of the sexes” exhibition match in Dubai.

In a widely criticised piece of entertainment marketed under the same banner of the era-defining match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973, Kyrgios won in straight sets 6-3, 6-3 in front of a sold-out crowd.

While the modified rules — Sabalenka’s side of the court was 9 per cent smaller and each player was restricted to a single serve per point — meant no-one was quite sure what to expect of the actual spectacle, the outcome was fairly predictable.

Kyrgios, who has fallen outside the ATP top 600 after barely playing for three years, never looked particularly challenged.

One of the main arguments in favour of the event, and it being good for tennis, was that at least we’d see two players showcase their talents. But each were significantly limited.

Sabalenka by a no second serve and her constant aiming to deny Kyrgios’s forehand for the entire evening, while the Australian had to adjust to the strange court size of where he was hitting to, and tired out very quickly.

There were moments the classic personalities that the fans came out to see were on show.

Kyrgios attempted to argue with the chair that a ball called out was clearly in after losing a game, while Sabalenka called a strategic timeout during the second set and immediately danced the macarena into the camera. The latter being a clear example of how much this was not a real match.

Even the fanfare felt forced, and by the end, each looked glad it was over. The whole ordeal, all wrapped within an hour and a half.

You can catch up on all the action through our live blog below.

Key Events

8h ago8 hours agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:37pm

8h ago8 hours agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:29pm

10h ago10 hours agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 3:33pm

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7h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 6:14pm

That’s it from us

Thank you for joining us (especially those in Australia in the very wee hours of the morning), for that exhibition match.

It won’t be long until we’ll be blogging real matches in the AO. We’ll see you then and there.

Good morning (or good night)!

7h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 6:03pm

What did Sabalenka get out of that?

Much criticism of the exhibition match has revolved around it being a ‘lose-lose’ for women’s tennis. ‘What does Sabalenka get out of a hit out like this?,’ many asked.

Well, other than the huge pay check, the women’s world number one told the crowd it was good practice as the upcoming season of tennis approaches.

“It was a great level [of tennis]. I made a lot of great shots. I really enjoyed the show. I feel like next time when I play him I know all his tactics and strength,” she said in her post-match interview on court.

“Of course it felt different. I had to do a couple of adjustments. Playing against the guys is completely different. Everything is faster. It was a great test of my fitness. I hope I can recover well.

“I am pretty much ready for the season after this match. I hope to bring joy to the people during the season.”

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:37pm’I had to strap in’: Kyrgios

“That was a really hard battle, my serve was broken a few times. She’s a great competitor,” Nick Kyrgios told the crowd following his win.

“It was a really hard fought battle and there were breaks back and forth.

He added that “this was all the world has been talking about for the past six months” (despite it only announced two and a bit months ago) and “it could have gone either way there”.

“Of course I was nervous, I don’t think many people would put there hand up to be in this position,” he said.

“I was under the pump there.”

(Getty)

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:35pm

‘Ready for the season’: Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka said the exhibition was good for her fitness, with the hit out against a man “very different tennis” than what she’s used to.

“I hope I can get in a good recovery now,” she told the crowd.

“I hope I can bring great joy to people this season”

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:32pm

‘Happy it’s over’ Kyrgios tired after match

“I think Nick is happy it’s over,” the commentators exclaimed as the Australian slumped after the win.

Kyrgios looked exhausted after his 6-3, 6-3 victory. He’s been out of the circuit for a while.

Sabalenka telling the crowd afterwards she really enjoyed the show and was glad she made Kyrgios as tired as he was.

(Getty)8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:29pmGame, set, match to Kyrgios

And there it is. Nick Kyrgios has claimed the second set and with it, the match. He’s officially won the latest ‘Battle of the Sexes’ 6-3, 6-3.

Very much as predicted. With the whole affair wrapped up within an hour and a half.

(Getty)

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:28pm

Sabalenka holding on

Aryna Sabalenka is doing everything she can to stay in the match and get the crowd on her side.

She saved two match points but he has another now.

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:27pm

Kyrgios with the match point

The Australian is up 6-3, 5-3 40-30. It’s his second match point.

This match could all be over very soon.

(Getty)

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:23pm

Kyrgios wrestled back lead in second set

Sabalenka was looking confident as she was up 3-1 in the second set, but Nick Kyrgios gained back control with the next four games.

He’s up 5-3.

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:09pm

Sabalenka calls for a timeout…. to dance

It’s now a strategic time-out with Sabalenka making the call.

Instead of sitting and catching her breath she danced the macarena to the camera instead.

That is the Sabalenka we all know… She leads the second set 3-1 in the second set after Kyrgios took the first 6-3.

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:08pm

Kyrgios argues with the chair

Ah yes, there’s the Australian we know.

After Aryna Sabalenka won the fourth game in the second set by hitting the ball ever-so-close to the line, Kyrgios disagreed and tried to argue the ball was out.

The chair wasn’t having any of it. He looked unimpressed as he started the next game.

Sabalenka leads 3-1 in the second set. And let out a yell to the crowd as she won the next two points.

(Getty)

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:05pm

Sabalenka leads in second set

Aryna Sabalenka looked frustrated as she hit the ball out to deny her the fourth game of the second set.

She leads 2-1, with the pair locked in deuce. It would be an important lead for her, if she can get it.

8h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 5:03pm

There are some good moments

Well are the 17,000 that paid to watch getting an entertaining tennis match or not, Marnie??

– Cyrus Lesser

A few times Aryna Sabalenka has caught Nick Kyrgios off guard to a roaring crowd.

It’s fair to say the spectators are getting as expected. It’s not so much a hit-and-giggle with the two really going at it, Kyrgios with the predicted lead.

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:56pm

Sabalenka gets a game back

Sabalenka has broken Kyrgios’ streak of four consecutive games and finally got one back.

She hit the ball short, making Kyrgios move towards and net, with the Australian unable to return it.

It’s one game all in the second set.

(Getty)

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:53pm

Kyrgios staying in the lead

Nick Kyrgios appears to have gotten used to the smaller court side (of Sabalenka’s) and is moving very well.

Where he gave up easy points in the early games of the opening set, he’s now hitting them as he wants.

After taking the first set, he’s claimed the opening game of the second and leads 6-3, 1-0.

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:47pm

Kyrgios takes first set

Just a moment ago it was 3-3. Then, after a quick break, Nick Kyrgios reeled off the next three consecutive games to take the opening set 6-3.

There was a few good shots from Sabalenka in the mix, with Kyrgios looking obviously impressed with a few hits. But he really wasn’t that challenged in the back half of the set.

As expected, the Australian is in front.

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:40pm

Kyrgios in front

Nick Kyrgios has taken the lead in the opening set 4-3, breaking Aryna Sabalenka in the last game.

Both are looking like they are feeling it physically, perhaps the Australian a touch more.

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:32pm

Hard to argue against that, Pete

This match is a bit of a farce and doesn’t benefit men’s or women’s tennis. If you wanted to have a battle of the sexes anyway, it should be on the same court.

– Pete

“That ball would be in if the court was 9% bigger,” the commentators said as Kygrios hit a ball out.

He won the game anyway on the next point.

It’s hard to feel like this is a real match with the modified rules changing so much of the game, while still seeing Kyrgios in front.

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:26pm

Serves has to be clean

With no double faults – as the pair each get one serve each – they have to be clean and precise on the first go.

Each have handed each other points so far with faults.

It’s good practice on the eve of the upcoming tennis season.

So far, it’s two games each.

9h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 4:22pm

Pair stretching each other around the court

Aryna Sabalenka won the opening game against Nick Kygrios fairly comfortably.

Known for her power, she shot the ball past her opponent as he looked to be feeling out the match.

Kyrgios seemed to be adjusting to having less space, with Sabalenka’s side of the court 9% smaller.

Then, he won the second and third games without being too challenged.

Sabalenka looked frustrated as she belted the ball into the net, giving Kygrios the opening point of the third game. It could be a quick opening set to the Australian.

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