Mouratoglou Credited With Format as Sabalenka–Kyrgios ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Set for Dec. 28 in Dubai

Overview

• The exhibition is scheduled for December 28 in Dubai and will use three sets with a match format that allows only one serve per player and places the female player on a reduced court.
• Patrick Mouratoglou said he originally pitched the modified rules and jokingly accused current organisers of taking the idea.
• Event organisers told Tennis365 that Mouratoglou proposed the core format and confirmed a previous effort to stage the match in Hong Kong did not materialise.
• Greg Rusedski criticised the setup as gimmicky, arguing a true contest should use standard courts and two serves, and he questioned Nick Kyrgios’s form after limited tour play.
• Aryna Sabalenka said she does not view the event as risky and believes it can help raise the profile of women’s tennis.