Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka, her goddaughter Nicole, and Australia's Nick Kyrgios celebrate with trophies after the match. PHOTO: REUTERSNick Kyrgios has beat Aryna Sabalenka 6‑3 6‑3 in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match billed as a modern take on Billie Jean King's famous win over Bobby Riggs over 50 years ago, but one that ignited controversy over its relevance and meaning. The match that gave the event its name was the 1973 "Battle of the Sexes" when women's tennis pioneer King beat 55-year-old former Grand Slam winner Riggs, who had said that the standard of women's tennis could never match that of the men's game. "I don't think many people would have put their hand up to be in this position, especially in my position," Kyrgios said. 'GREAT OPPORTUNITY'"It was a really tough match," Kyrgios added.

Former Black Caps allrounder Doug Bracewell has announced his retirement from all cricket. Just three years later he made his ODI, T20 International and test debuts for the Black Caps. Doug Bracewell bowls for Central Districts against the Otago Volts at the University Oval in January 2024. Central Districts Cricket CEO Lance Hamilton thanked Bracewell for his loyalty and service to Central Districts Cricket over his extensive career. Central Districts Cricket will confirm a replacement on its 2025/26 season roster of contracted players in the coming weeks.

Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios embrace at the net after the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Photo / Getty ImagesNick Kyrgios beat women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” today, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the era-defining 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Each player received only one serve and the dimensions of Sabalenka’s side of the court were 9% smaller, in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage.

A strong wind watch is in place for the upper South Island tonight, although much of the island will escape the severe weather forecast to batter the North Island. "While it has its things going on, it's definitely much better than than the North Island," she said. Auckland, Great Barrier Island and Coromandel are currently under a strong wind watch, as will be the central North Island from 10am. A warning of severe gales has been issued for Manawatu, Horowhenua and Kapiti coast from 4pm, while the Tararua district and Wairarapa will be under a heavy rain watch from 6pm. Northland and Whanganui are the places to be in the North Island today for the best weather.

REPORT & PHOTO: NIC DUFFFelicity Montgomery rounds the final barrel on her way to winning the Junior Barrel Racing at the Omarama Rodeo yesterday. The annual event featured a full programme of bull riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping and more rodeo events from juniors right through to the open sections. There were plenty of food and drink vendors on site to keep everyone happy as well as apparel stalls selling hats and equestrian gear. There was also a bouncy castle for the younger children to enjoy. The National Rodeo Finals will be held in Waikouaiti in March.

$28m each - Rawene Ave, Westmere & Ronaki Rd, Mission BayTwo homes sold for combined $56mThis Rawene Ave property was involved in a $56m house swap. They were soon connected with the owner of an impressive home in the city’s east in Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay. Well, $22m in the case of another grand mansion sold this year in Ronaki Rd, Mission Bay. $15m - Jervois Rd, Herne BayThe buyers of this $15m Herne Bay home in Jervois Rd can now enjoy a landscaped garden with mature jacaranda trees. Photos of the home show gorgeous landscaped gardens with mature jacaranda trees, a pool and pool house, and indoor-outdoor entertaining.

Delight your friends and family, captivate our readers and share your favourite holiday images in our Magic Moments competition. The winners will be announced in the Otago Daily Times on January 12. First prize: $100 voucher and an A3 canvas of the winning photographSecond prize: A3 canvas print of the second prize photograph. Third prize: ODT puzzle of the Dunedin Railway Station. Also: Everyone who has a photo published in our competition can take the original file to Jonathan's Photo Warehouse in Dunedin and receive a free enlargement.

PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERYIf you yell the name "Bella" out at a Dunedin dog park, expect a swarm of labrador retrievers to answer the call. As 2025 wraps up, the Dunedin City Council has released what names the city’s residents are dishing out to man’s best friends. A council spokeswoman said the name Bella came in at No1, with 192 dogs in the city claiming the name. Bella is a long-standing favourite for dog owners and has taken the top spot multiple times over the past eight years. Their highlight however, was holding 105 dog safety sessions in Dunedin schools and kindergartens — up from 96 sessions in 2024.

One of the 'Star' chase boats brings whales alongside whaling ship 'Sir James Clark Ross', off Victoria Land, Antarctica. — Otago Witness, 9.3.1926The Ross Sea whaling fleet has succeeded in getting through into clear water after a period of 38 days in the pack. Usually it takes four or five days for the boats to steam through the pack ice. acting upon a hereditary impulse, the more youthful passengers deserted their seats to obtain a better view of the proceedings. The two young men who engaged in the fisticuffs were among those who stood for the remainder of the journey.

A waxeye bearing a bird pox sore feeds with others at a Tahakopa Valley property in October. PHOTO: OWEN MCNUTTBird pox is widespread in Otago and remains a concern for conservationists protecting native species. At the time, Mr McNutt said he feared any increase in the prevalence of the disease could lead to its spread into vulnerable native species, like kākāriki. The Beresford Range, where his reserve was located, was home to both the endangered kākāriki and mohua, Mr McNutt said. Doc downplayed the severity of the outbreak, saying it was a widespread disease from which birds usually recovered.

REPORT & PHOTO: NIC DUFFFelicity Montgomery rounds the final barrel on her way to winning the Junior Barrel Racing at the Omarama Rodeo yesterday. The annual event featured a full programme of bull riding, barrel racing, breakaway roping and more rodeo events from juniors right through to the open sections. There were plenty of food and drink vendors on site to keep everyone happy as well as apparel stalls selling hats and equestrian gear. There was also a bouncy castle for the younger children to enjoy. The National Rodeo Finals will be held in Waikouaiti in March.

Photo: ODT filesToday's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including National's position on the Bendigo mine, emissions targets and South Dunedin, and yet another cycleway. Philip TempleDunedinLegal punishmentDoes the Supreme Court ruling that impact on climate change is a mandatory consideration before blocks of land can be offered up for extractive industry, as reported by the New Zealand Herald on December 19, mean that letters by climate denialists become illegal or that those who attempt publicly to highlight climate emergencies are acting illegally? What Paul fails to address is how meeting our emissions targets will affect the residents of South Dunedin. If we met all its targets and did everything the Climate Change Commission advocated, it would do absolutely nothing to prevent flooding in South Dunedin. Carolyn RichardsonDunedinAddress Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin.

Kiwi expat Faber was cuddling his cat Lily, only to realise a deadly eastern brown snake had invited itself into their Adelaide home. CCTV footage of the lead-footed 73-year-old sinking her 4WD at Matiatia Wharf soon bounced worldwide thanks to social media. Video posted online showed Kotiro and a barefoot, singlet-and-shorts-clad Gage guiding the horse to safety, with the Waioeka Pā dad bemused by the fuss. “It was just the usual kind of flood that you might get with a bit of heavy rain. “All we heard was bang, bang … my initial thought [was] it could’ve been some sort of firearm.

Auckland Council received 29,388 noise complaints from January 1 to November 23 this year. Aucklanders made close to 30,000 noise complaints in 2025Aucklanders made 29,388 noise complaints from January 1 to November 23 this year, according to Auckland Council figures. Of the complaints, 5472 resulted in an excessive noise direction being served, while 159 written warnings were issued. Fifty-two alarms were disconnected, 86 seizures were undertaken and 357 instances of non-compliance with an excessive noise direction occurred. The council received at least 25,000 noise complaints in 2024.

Whether calling the Otago Regional Council "the Kremlin of the South Island"or waving goodbye to Freddy the Frog, Mr Jones is never short of a front page-worthy one-liner. In the battle between "getting stuff done"and protecting the environment, Mr Jones has been loud and unapologetic voice for the former. While there has undoubtedly been moments of friction between National, Act New Zealand and NZ First, the latter has maintained its identity. As for the 2026 election campaign, expect more of the same, Mr Jones promised. With Mr Peters having senior ministerial responsibilities, much of that agenda will be promoted by Mr Jones.