Nick Kyrgios beats Aryna Sabalenka in ‘Battle of the Sexes’

AFP

28 Dec, 2025 05:45 PM2 mins to read

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Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty Images

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Nick Kyrgios beat women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” today, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans.

Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between
Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Back then, there was more at stake with the nascent women’s professional tour, set up by King, fighting for its legitimacy and prize money for female players still far lower than for the men.

King, one of the all-time greats of the women’s game who was at the peak of her powers, saw off the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his day, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston.

Each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court were 9% smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage.