Aryna Sabalenka Proud of her Fight in the Controversial Battle of Sexes Match Against Nick Kyrgios

Tennis exhibitions often deliver unpredictable results; some produce memorable moments, while others spark more debate than brilliance. The much-anticipated “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai, featuring Nick Kyrgios and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, has now wrapped up after days of global attention and fan discussion.

Kyrgios claimed a 6–3, 6–3 victory in a contest that was more exhibition than epic but still drew widespread attention. Despite the straight-sets defeat, Sabalenka appeared in good spirits afterward, acknowledging in her post-match interview that the experience was unlike anything she usually encounters on the WTA Tour. She said in the post-match interview:

I felt great. I think I put on a great fight. He was struggling. He got really tight. I’m happy to see the guy is getting tight when taking away one of my serves. I think it was a great level. I made a lot of great shots. Moved a lot to the net. Great drop shots Nick. Great serving. I really enjoyed the show. I think… not I think… I feel like next time I play him I already know the tactic. I know his strength and weaknesses. It’s gonna be a better match for sure.

If the fans were expecting the cultural gravity of the 1973 Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs showdown, they might have been looking in the wrong place. This was less about gender equity and more about content creation, but the fans got tennis, which is the most important thing.

Aryna Sabalenka after losing to Nick Kyrgios in their Battle of the Sexes match

Aryna: “I felt great. I think I put on a great fight. He was struggling. He got really tight. I’m happy to see the guy is getting tight when taking away one of my serves. I think it was a great… pic.twitter.com/HlfkIsMemg

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) December 28, 2025

Sabalenka and Kyrgios have generated controversy in their own ways in the ATP and WTA Tours. Now, they will look forward to Down Under and build up for the Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka wants revenge against Nick Kyrgios

Despite the straight-sets loss, Aryna Sabalenka is already looking forward to the subsequent Battle of Sexes match. She also hinted that this might not be a one-and-done deal. When asked about a rematch, her eyes lit up:

Yeah. I love revenge. I love to challenge myself. I would love to play again.

The match was hardly a masterclass in tennis. The broadcast even cut out for a minute at the start of the second set, which feels like a perfect metaphor for the whole event. But seeing Sabalenka smiling, dancing, and ripping forehands against Kyrgios’s serve offered a weirdly compelling break from the seriousness of the regular season.

If the goal was to “bring joy to the people,” as Sabalenka put it, maybe it worked for the die-hards. For everyone else, it was a curious spectacle. It was arguably the most contentious match to have taken place in recent months.

Nick Kyrgios takes down Aryna Sabalenka

Nick Kyrgios took the first set 6-3, capitalizing on a few errors from Sabalenka. There was a moment where the Belarusian superstar ripped a forehand down the line that left Kyrgios open-mouthed, proving she definitely has the firepower to hang. But a blink-and-you-miss-it error at the net handed the set to Kyrgios.

Things got weirder in the second set. At one point, perhaps sensing the crowd was checking their watches, Sabalenka took a “dance break,” busting out the Macarena while Kyrgios gasped for air on the sidelines.

In the stands, things were equally surreal. Brazilian soccer legends Kaka and Ronaldo were spotted sitting behind the towering Peter Crouch.

Sabalenka managed to break Kyrgios early in the second set, leading 2-1 and giving fans a glimpse of a potential comeback. She was putting massive pressure on his serve, but the “Battle of the Sexes” rules made for some bizarre geometry.

Kyrgios eventually broke back to level it at 3-3, finding winners just as Sabalenka looked ready to take control. Ultimately, the Australian closed it out 6-3 in the second set, utilizing a timeout on match point to drag the drama out a little longer.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz Reportedly Almost Hired Andy Murray to Replace Juan Carlos Ferrero As Coach After 2024 Season