Overview
- Nick Kyrgios defeated WTA No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 at Dubai’s Coca‑Cola Arena before roughly 17,000 spectators, with broadcasts that included ESPN.
- The exhibition used balancing measures: a single serve per point, Sabalenka’s court side reduced by about 9%, and no changeovers.
- Staged as entertainment, the event featured playful moments such as Sabalenka dancing to La Macarena and Kyrgios using underarm serves.
- Evolve, the agency that represents both players, organized and marketed the match, and premium tickets were priced near $800.
- Reaction was mixed in tennis circles, with figures like Alizé Cornet condemning the reduced‑court rule, while both players called it a show and discussed a possible rematch.