Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in the 2025 Battle of the Sexes contest in Dubai.
The match was played with adapted rules in a sold-out arena.
What happened?
The contest brought criticism from within tennis as the most recent instalment of historical exhibition matches between men and women.
The 1973 clash of the same name between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was a landmark moment in the advancement of women’s tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios are on the books of today’s organisers, Evolve.
Tennis taking inspiration from boxing?
The event has echoes of the recent entertainment-driven spectacle in boxing involving former YouTuber and influencer Jake Paul taking on two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua.
Whether tennis is the right sport for this type of entertainment is the question we face today.
Stuart Duguid, the co-founder of both players' agency, Evolve, said that he does not understand the criticism of the event.
“I think if Sabalenka's playing a really elevated, high-profile match and the match is competitive, why would that not be a good thing for women's tennis?” Duguid said.
A match with repercussions
The potential in this match, if Sabalenka does not win, is that more harm than good is done to women’s tennis and its repercussions are felt well into the new season in 2026.
Nick Kyrgios has repeatedly been outspoken against women’s tennis online as well as pleading guilty to common assault against a former girlfriend in 2023.
Billie Jean King said that the original Battle of the Sexes was about social change, but this one is not.
Get involved today
The match sparked debate about its entertainment value and impact on women's tennis.
Reader Grace Armstrong said: “I think it’s great, of course it’s a gimmick, but it’s entertaining and causes no harm in my humble opinion, Sabalenka will win.”
The build-up to the match included high-profile appearances on chat shows.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Nick Kyrgios was billed as a show, with the stakes unclear, other than women's tennis appearing to be in a lose-lose scenario.
The match was a brand-building exercise for both players.
Evolve used the title ‘Battle of the Sexes’ to drum up attention for this contest.
The event was a competitive best-of-three sets contest.
Nick Kyrgios emerged victorious from the match.
The result was 6-3, 6-3 in favour of Nick Kyrgios.