Overview
- Nick Kyrgios defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in a non-ranking exhibition at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.
- The event used bespoke rules, including a single serve per point and a court about 9% smaller on Sabalenka’s side.
- Journalists and former players labeled the spectacle a gimmick that risked diminishing the legacy of Billie Jean King’s 1973 match.
- Reports cited widespread broadcast glitches on Tennis Channel and the BBC, with freezing and missed action frustrating viewers.
- Both players framed the night as entertainment, with Kyrgios calling it positive for the sport as he builds toward a comeback with a Brisbane International wildcard.