New "Battle of the Sexes" Exhibition in Dubai Faces Criticism as Cynical Publicity Stunt
A Dubai exhibition match billed as the new "Battle of the Sexes" between world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios has sparked controversy. Promoted as lighthearted entertainment, the event has been criticized as a cynical bid for attention that risks being an own goal for both Sabalenka and women's tennis.
Sabalenka, who ended 2025 as World No.1 for the second consecutive year and won the US Open after reaching three of the four Grand Slam finals in 2025, defended the match by suggesting it could raise interest in tennis and elevate women's tennis to a higher level, drawing a comparison to Billie Jean King's famous 1973 match.
Kyrgios, whose recent career has been hampered by injuries and limited official play, is perceived by some as seeking to earn money through this spectacle. The event has garnered extensive media attention, including coverage by the BBC and Sabalenka's appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The match will take place in Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, which seats about 17,000 spectators.
While proponents argue the event may attract new audiences, critics maintain that the best way to appreciate women's tennis is by watching the sport itself, rather than through celebrity-driven exhibition spectacles. The article also notes there are zero trans women on the WTA Tour and highlights that Sabalenka’s earlier comments on trans women generated global headlines.
The involvement of the players and their agency, Evolve, suggests a financial benefit amid a growing trend of influencer- and celebrity-driven sports events. Ultimately, the piece asserts the match offers no meaningful insight and detracts from the true greatness of women's tennis.
