Overview
- Nick Kyrgios defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in a one-off exhibition at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.
- The format allowed only a first serve for both players, shrank Sabalenka’s side of the court by 9%, and slated a 10-point match tie-break for a third set.
- The event drew a large paying crowd and aired live on SuperTennis, underscoring its profile as a made-for-TV showcase.
- Billie Jean King distanced the spectacle from her 1973 match against Bobby Riggs, saying the only similarity was a man and a woman playing.
- Context shaped interest: Sabalenka entered as 2025’s top performer, Kyrgios was ranked around No. 671 after injuries, the pair share an agent who helped stage the show, and Sabalenka suggested a rematch after calling it valuable practice.