Nick Kyrgios Defeats Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai 'Battle of the Sexes' Exhibition Match
On December 28, 2025, Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka in a 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis exhibition held at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The match featured modified rules designed to balance play between the male and female athletes, including each player having only one serve per point and reducing Sabalenka's side of the court by 9% to compensate for speed differences.
Kyrgios won in straight sets, 6-3 6-3, in approximately 70 minutes. He secured an early break of serve in the third game and maintained dominance with multiple breaks throughout the match, ultimately prevailing to win the event. The entertainment aspect of the match included under-arm serves from Kyrgios and a lighthearted moment with Sabalenka dancing to the Macarena during a 60-second timeout. The crowd numbered around 17,000 spectators.
Both players are represented by the same agency, which organized the exhibition. Notably, Kyrgios entered the event ranked 671 in the world, having faced injuries and limited tour-level singles matches since 2023. In contrast, Sabalenka was the world No. 1 in 2025, having won the US Open and posted strong Grand Slam results during the year.
The event sparked debate among the public and tennis figures about its gimmick nature, with references made to Billie Jean King's historic "Battle of the Sexes" match and its legacy in the sport.
