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.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 28, 2025 19:20 UTC