By Richard Pagliaro | Sunday, December 28, 2025Photo credit: Christopher Pike/Getty
Aryna Sabalenka put on a show, but Nick Kyrgios closed the showdown.
Kyrgios came back from 1-3 down in the second set defeating Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in today’s Battle of the Sexes exhibition match at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai.
World No. 1 Sabalenka smiled and danced at times during the contest, while Kyrgios looked a bit more stressed but handled the pressure denying the packed arena a potential third-set tiebreaker.
“Of course I was nervous. I don’t think many people would put their hand up to be in this position,” Kyrgios said. “The scoreline was closer, I was under the pump there—I was nervous. This was all the world was talking about for the past six months.
“To even get back out here and play, and play someone as great as Aryna is pretty emotional.”
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Fifty-two years after Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the original Battle of the Sexes showdown at the Houston Astrodome, this exhibition lacked the cultural impact, but still delivered some entertainment value.
Unlike the King vs. Riggs best-of-three-set clash back in 1973, this was a streamlined Battle of the Sexes format.
It was a best-of-three-set match. Each player got only one serve rather than the traditional two serves per point and Sabalenka’s side of the court was 9 percent smaller in both length and width giving her less court to cover and Kyrgios less space to strike.
Afterward, Sabalenka said she saw Kyrgios was tight and tried to make him play.
“I felt great, I think I put up a great fight,” Sabalenka said. “He was struggling, he got really tight—and I was happy to see one of the guys getting tight and getting a win on my serve.
“I think it was a great level, I played a lot of great shots. Really enjoyed the show. I feel like next time, when I play him, I know the tactics, his strengths, his weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match for sure.”
In a match between two explosive power players, Kyrgios often opted to play the drop shot and junk balls to deny Sabalenka pace. The match was deadlocked 3-all when Kyrgios broke for 4-3. He proceeded to run out the opening set.
Sweating profusely, Kyrgios had to hustle to complete a straight-sets victory.
“It was a really tough match. she’s a hell of a competitor, and such a great champion,” Kyrgios said. “I didn’t really know what to expect, and whatever role I was to play, this was another opportunity to go out and play.
“She broke my serve numerous times, she was putting the pressure on, hitting some amazing shots. I would love to play her again.
“Ultimately, it was a really hard-fought battle. I wouldn’t call myself the champion tonight. I think this is a great stepping-stone forward for the sport of tennis.”
This was actually their second meeting in the last month.
The pair squared off in mixed doubles at the Garden Cup at Madison Square Garden last month. Kyrgios, dominating the net, and partner Naomi Osaka edged Sabalenka and Tommy Paul in a Fast4 set.
During that match, Sabalenka tried to drill Kyrgios, sporting a shaved head beneath his baseball cap, with a few high volleys.
Tonight, Sabalenka actually seemed the fresher of the two by the time the two sets were done.
The Belarusian left the court hoping the pair can reunite in a rematch.
“I love rematches, and I like to challenge myself,” Sabalenka said. “I would love to play again.”
