Overview
- Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in a Dec. 28 Dubai exhibition played with one serve per point and a roughly 9% smaller receiving side for Sabalenka.
- Sabalenka said she would play again and proposed keeping a full court for Kyrgios while allowing her two serves to rebalance the format.
- Kyrgios publicly replied "IM IN" to talk of a rematch, yet Evolve representatives have not announced or confirmed any follow-up event.
- Iga Swiatek called the Dubai contest mere entertainment with no social-change stakes, said women’s tennis "stands on its own," and pointed to the United Cup as a better showcase.
- Billie Jean King and other commentators rejected comparisons to the 1973 match, the players defended the exhibition as attention-driving, and broadcasters reported technical issues during the telecast.