Kyrgios Beats Sabalenka 6–3, 6–3 in Dubai ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Exhibition

Overview

• Nick Kyrgios defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, 6–3, 6–3, at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena in a best-of-three exhibition.
• Organizers limited both players to one serve and reduced Sabalenka’s side of the court by about 9%, with a 10-point super tiebreak planned if a third set was needed.
• Sabalenka had framed the contest as a showcase for women’s tennis and, after the match, said she learned from the outing and would welcome a rematch.
• Billie Jean King told the BBC the exhibition is not comparable to her 1973 match with Bobby Riggs, while Rennae Stubbs and Garbiñe Muguruza questioned the event’s competitive value and commercial motives.
• Kyrgios, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist now ranked No. 672 after injury-hit seasons with only six official matches, emphasized giving fans a show and praised Sabalenka’s competitiveness.