The 2025 version of the \u2018Battle of the Sexes\u2019 has been played out with Australia\u2019s Nick Kyrgios emerging a 6-3 6-3 winner against women\u2019s tennis world number one Aryna Sabalenka.<\/p>\n
Played on a modified court under modified rules, the Dubai exhibition match has drawn a largely negative reaction from fans and pundits alike.<\/p>\n
Amongst a chorus of critics questioning the need\u2014and value\u2014for holding such a match in the first place, prominent tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg was scathingly succinct.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe world is dumber for that match having happened,\u201d he posted on X.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis entire match was based on delusion.\u201d<\/p>\n
MORE:\u00a0Who won Battle of the Sexes? Nick Kyrgios vs. Aryna Sabalenka<\/a><\/p>\n Perhaps unsurprisingly given their shared management agency organised the one-off match, Kyrgios and Sabalenka were far more effusive of the experience.<\/p>\n \u201cHonestly, it was a really tough match,\u201d Kyrgios said afterwards.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cShe is a hell of a player and such a great champion, she broke my serve numerous times and I had to strap in\u2014ultimately it was a really hard-fought battle.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI think I put up a great fight, I made a lot of great shots, really enjoyed the show,\u201d Sabalenka responded.<\/p>\n \u201cNext time when I play him, I already know the tactics, his strengths and weaknesses, I love to challenge myself and I\u2019d love to play again.\u201d<\/p>\n Whether the tennis world has the appetite for a rematch on such a public global stage seems unlikely.<\/p>\n Then again, when Nick Kyrgios is involved anything is possible.<\/p>\n The world is dumber for that match having happened.<\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) December 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u2014 Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) December 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Calling this Kyrgios vs. Sabalenka a\u201cbattle of the sexes\u201d is so disrespectful to Billie Jean King, she did not fight for attention and grift . This is the Battle clowns \ud83e\udd21 https:\/\/t.co\/VGZGAe1Li0<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Anna The Ivorian \u2122\ufe0f (@annatheivorian) December 28, 202<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n