Ben Shelton Confirms his Position on the Controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka

The Battle of Sexes match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will be played on December 28th.

Ben Shelton Confirms his Position on the Controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka

Ben Shelton, Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios (via BBC/X)

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When Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka announced they were doing a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition in Dubai, most of the Tennis world rolled their eyes. It screamed “publicity stunt” louder than a YouTuber boxing match. However, now that the details are trickling out, things are becoming increasingly complex and not necessarily in a fair manner.

American tennis rising star Ben Shelton has weighed in, and if one thought this was going to be a walk in the park for the Aussie bad boy, they might want to check the fine print. Speaking to Front Office Sports, Shelton didn’t hold back his skepticism about Kyrgios’ chances. Shelton said on Front Office Sports:

I was with both of them last weekend and it’s going to be tough for [Kyrgios]. You know, he has a court that I think is, I think, 9% smaller. He only has one serve; she has two. And obviously, she’s the best player in the world right now. She’s very strong from the baseline. You’re taking away the weapon of his first serve. So I think it’s going to be an interesting match. It’s definitely something I would tune in to.

According to Shelton, who apparently spent time with both players recently, the deck is stacked so high against Kyrgios that he might need a ladder to see over it.

The History of the Battle of Sexes

This is the tennis equivalent of telling Stephen Curry he can only shoot layups, or telling a race car driver they can only make left turns. Nick Kyrgios lives and dies by that monstrous serve. If one takes away his margin for error by giving him only one shot to get it in, and then shrinks the court so his angles have to be surgical, they aren’t just leveling the playing field; they are tilting it off a cliff.

Aryna Sabalenka, Billie Jean King, Nick Kyrgios
Aryna Sabalenka, Billie Jean King, Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/Aryna Sabalenka Archive, Billie Jean King, Olly Tennis)

It’s hard not to feel a little cynical here. The 1973 Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs match was a cultural watershed moment. It meant something. It changed how the world viewed women athletes.

Even Ilana Kloss, former pro and partner of Billie Jean King, isn’t buying the hype. While Ben Shelton is politely calling it “interesting,” Kloss went straight for the jugular, basically saying the only thing serious about this match is the paycheck. She told Front Office Sports:

I don’t think anyone’s going to take it seriously. Other than them getting a check, which is great, I’m sure it’s a big check.

Why people will watch Battle of the Sexes anyway

While people are busy arguing about handicaps, Aryna Sabalenka has been busy dominating the actual tour. She finished the year as World No. 1, bagged the US Open, and won 63 matches. She is, objectively, a machine right now.

Nick Kyrgios, Aryna Sabalenka
Nick Kyrgios, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via/ ESPN)

So, there is the best female player on the planet, in peak physical form, armed with two serves and a standard court. On the other side, there is Kyrgios, who has barely played competitive tennis in ages due to injury, forced to play on a shrunken court with a single serve.

If Kyrgios loses this, the internet will inevitably explode with takes about how the WTA has surpassed the ATP, or conversely, how the rules were rigged. If he wins, he’s the guy who beat a woman in a rigged game. It feels like a lose-lose situation for his reputation, but a win-win for his wallet.

The match goes down on December 28th in Dubai. Whether one views it as a legitimate “Battle of the Sexes” or just a chaotic reality TV episode with rackets, the tennis world will be watching.

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