Overview
- Nick Kyrgios beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai in a high-profile exhibition.
- The event applied a one-serve-per-point rule and reduced Sabalenka’s court by 9%, changes set by organizer Evolve.
- Coverage on ESPN and Movistar accompanied a packed arena as the show emphasized entertainment alongside competition.
- The matchup drew criticism from figures such as Andrea Petkovic and Boris Becker, while Billie Jean King noted the social context differs sharply from 1973.
- Sabalenka arrived off a dominant 2025 season as WTA No. 1, whereas Kyrgios, ranked around 671, has had limited play because of injuries.