Overview
- Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena as the made-for-streaming exhibition closed with a 6-3, 6-3 result.
- Modified rules aimed at balancing play included a single serve for each player, a nine percent smaller court on Sabalenka’s side and no side changes due to the asymmetric court.
- Both players are represented by Envolve, and the event was sold as a paid stream on sporteurope.tv with celebrity attendees such as Ronaldo and Kaká.
- Billie Jean King and other voices, including Rennae Stubbs, criticized the remake as a commercial spectacle lacking the original’s social purpose and offering little upside for women’s tennis.
- Post-match, Kyrgios called it a spectacle and praised Sabalenka, while Sabalenka said she enjoyed the challenge and expressed interest in a rematch.