New 'Battle of the Sexes' Exhibition Draws Criticism Despite High Profile Players
An exhibition tennis match billed as a "Battle of the Sexes" between world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios is scheduled to take place at the Dubai Coca-Cola Arena, which has a 17,000-seat capacity.
The event, however, has been described by critics as potentially one of the most inane tennis events and a cynical bid for attention. Kyrgios, 30, has struggled with injuries and has played only six official matches in three years, with unclear prospects of a full return to the tour.
Sabalenka and her camp claim the exhibition will benefit women’s tennis, drawing comparisons to Billie Jean King's iconic 1973 Battle of the Sexes. This argument has been viewed as misused rhetoric by some commentators, who see the event as exploiting challenges faced by women’s sports as engagement bait, ultimately being an own goal for Sabalenka and women's tennis regardless of the match outcome.
During promotion, Sabalenka discussed trans women in professional tennis during an interview with Piers Morgan. The article highlights there are currently zero trans women on the WTA Tour and references ongoing controversy surrounding her comments.
The exhibition has attracted significant media attention, including from the BBC and Sabalenka’s appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The Dubai arena is expected to be largely filled for the event.
Both players are represented by the agency Evolve. Sabalenka enjoyed a strong 2025 season, reaching three Grand Slam finals, winning the US Open title, and maintaining her world No.1 ranking for a second consecutive year.
Despite the promotion around this mixed-sex exhibition, the article reiterates that observing women’s tennis in regular competition remains the best way to appreciate its greatness.
