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Billie Jean King and Roger Rasheed Criticize SabalenkaKyrgios Exhibition in Dubai

Organizers frame the matchup as entertainment rather than a reprise of 1973.

Overview

  • The exhibition is scheduled for December 28 at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena and will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
  • Rules include one serve per player, a nine percent smaller court on Sabalenka’s side, and a best‑of‑three format with a 10‑point match tiebreak if needed.
  • Billie Jean King rejects comparisons to her 1973 match against Bobby Riggs, saying her contest was about social change and this one is not.
  • Australian coach Roger Rasheed labels the event "insulting" and a lose‑lose for women’s tennis, questioning any benefit for the world No. 1.
  • Sabalenka and Kyrgios defend the match as a fun showcase to draw new fans, while Ben Shelton says the rule tweaks could make it tough for Kyrgios.