World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka finds herself at the center of an unexpected backlash after participating in a high-profile “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, with some critics claiming the event undermined the integrity of the sport.
The exhibition, held in Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28, pitted Sabalenka, the dominant force in the women’s game, against Kyrgios, a former top-ranked men’s player who entered the match ranked well outside the professional circuit due to an injury layoff.
Organizers implemented modified conditions, including reducing Sabalenka‘s side of the court by roughly 9 percent and limiting both competitors to a single serve per point, in an effort to balance perceived physical differences between the sexes. Kyrgios ultimately defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3.
For an athlete whose 2025 season was otherwise defined by excellence, defending her U.S. Open title and maintaining the year-end top ranking, the exhibition’s fallout has proved unexpectedly polarizing.
Many tennis purists and prominent figures in the sport were swift to condemn the event as a spectacle that distracts from the athletic achievements of women competing at the highest level.
Billie Jean King, a trailblazer for gender equality in tennis and the pioneer of the original 1973 “Battle of the Sexes,” publicly questioned whether the reimagined format honored the spirit of that historic contest or trivialized the sport’s competitive integrity.
Other commentators described the match as little more than a “publicity stunt” and a “money grab.”
Some of the criticisms extend beyond the event itself to Sabalenka‘s broader choices and public persona.
Over the course of this year, fans have also reacted sharply to episodes on and off court, from her emotional post-match remarks after losing the French Open final to Coco Gauff, which she later called “completely unprofessional,” to instances of perceived unsportsmanlike conduct in other matches.
Despite the pushback, Sabalenka has defended her involvement in the Dubai exhibition.
She told reporters she did not understand the negativity surrounding the event and emphasized the positive aspects, arguing that it showcased entertaining tennis and drew significant attention to the sport.
Kyrgios echoed her perspective, suggesting the event offered “nothing but positives” and highlighting the engagement from fans and media.
Why the match triggered such a strong response
Critics of the match argue that repackaging tennis, particularly at the elite level, into gimmicks or cross-gender exhibitions risks diluting the serious competition that defines professional tours.
Fans also weren’t happy with Sabalenka‘s participation and took to X to express their disappointment.
“Congratulations to Aryna Sabalenka for embarrassing women’s tennis,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “What a joke that match was…”
While another fan said pointedly, “This just set women’s tennis back a decade, and that’s a shame because they’re incredibly good. Very ill conceived idea.”
Sabalenka herself remains one of the most successful players of her generation, with multiple Grand Slam titles and a reputation for powerful, high-intensity play developed over years on the WTA Tour.
But the mixed reaction to her latest endeavor raises the question of how tennis will balance tradition with spectacle.
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