Aryna Sabalenka Slams Critics after Losing to Nick Kyrgios at the Battle of the Sexes Exhibition
Nick Kyrgios beats Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in the Battle of the Sexes clash in Dubai.
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Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/Game, Set & Talk, Quindici Zero)
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Months leading up to the Battle of the Sexes clash in Dubai, there were murmurings about what the match was setting out to achieve. Critics held the view that it was only for entertainment purposes and financial benefits. After the clash on Sunday (December 28), Aryna Sabalenka hit back at critics for their negative thinking about the match.
Sabalenka had gone into the exhibition tie with huge expectations as she was to take on Nick Kyrgios, who is ranked World No.671 in the ATP rankings. For weeks, she had boasted that she was going to beat the former World No.13 and even tried to play mind games with him on social media. She was the WTA No.1 and currently the best player in the women’s circuit.
On the other hand, Kyrgios’ involvement in the match was questioned as he had not played a competitive singles match since March 2025 and had just returned to the court from a career-threatening wrist injury that continues to trouble him. But that didn’t matter in the end as Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 to win the clash.
The match was the fourth version of the Battle of the Sexes tie in the history of tennis. Only Billie Jean King has been able to win it for women’s tennis, with Martina Navratilova and Margaret Court losing. With Sabalenka’s loss to Kyrgios, critics believe that it has caused more harm than good to women’s tennis in general.
After the loss, Sabalenka was asked during her press conference via DRM News how she feels about the negative comments from people ahead of the match. The 27-year-old revealed that she doesn’t understand how someone can have a negative mindset about the Battle of the Sexes match as it attracted global attention:
Honestly, I don’t understand how people can find something negative in this event. For the WTA, I think I showed that I can play great tennis. It was entertaining. Yes, he won the match, but it wasn’t 6–0, 6–0. It was a fight. It brought more eyes to tennis. Big people were messaging me wishing me luck, and they said they were going to watch from all different areas of life. I feel like we brought more attention to our sport, and I don’t see how that can be negative.
Nonetheless, Sabalenka’s side of the court was 9 percent smaller in dimension compared to Kyrgios’ side, as the organizers attempted to ensure a more level playing field; yet, she still lost. Also, both players were allowed one serve each, but Sabalenka missed more first serves in decisive moments of the match.
Aryna Sabalenka admits Nick Kyrgios defeat was a great lesson ahead of the 2026 season
One of Aryna Sabalenka’s most lethal weapons on the court was her serves and powerful forehand shots. Against Nick Kyrgios, she met a different tactical setup than what she had expected. The Aussie used a variety of shots, particularly drop shots, which forced Sabalenka into repeated sprints and sharp changes of direction.
Speaking about Kyrgios tactical maneuvering, Sabalenka admitted that it was a positive challenge. The World No.1 describes the encounter as a valuable physical work rather than a simple exhibition despite losing the match:
I really enjoyed it. I like having fun. I like challenges. Physically, playing against him — the amount of drop shots he hit — I felt like I reached almost all of them, and that was great fitness work for me. I really hope my fitness coach watched it. I’m sure he did. For the next couple of days, it’s just going to be easy mobility work, nothing too intense.
Kyrgios will hope to build on his performance against Sabalenka in the 2026 season. The former World No. 13 has been given a wild card entry into the Brisbane International, but he’s unsure of receiving the same privilege at the Australian Open. However, he will be eager to show he can still play great tennis next season.
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