Former Grand Slam Finalist Calls Out ‘Pointless’ Battle of the Sexes Between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios: “Not Sure This Helps Tennis”

Aryna Sabalenka finished the season with four titles from nine finals, while Nick Kyrgios won just one match.

Former Grand Slam Finalist Calls Out ‘Pointless’ Battle of the Sexes Between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios: “Not Sure This Helps Tennis”

Nick Kyrgios, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via/ ESPN)

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Aryna Sabalenka at the end lost the Battle of the Sexes match 6-3, 6-3 against Nick Kyrgios. The latest edition of the Battle of the Sexes was held on Sunday (December 28) at the Coca-Cola Arena and was organized by four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka‘s agency, Evolve.

As per the rules of the match, both players had one serve each. Sabalenka’s side of the court was 9 percent smaller. The match, without any doubt, provided entertainment to the watchers of the game, especially while watching the Belarusian come up with interesting ways to win points. Following the match, Kyrgios admitted that he was not surprised to receive such competition from someone like the four-time Grand Slam singles champion and also felt the match, despite the score, could have ended in either side’s favor.

The match invited mixed reactions, both from the fans and the former players, with critics questioning how it would benefit women’s tennis. Former Grand Slam finalist Greg Rusedski was also intrigued at first, but in the aftermath of the clash, he gave his honest reaction about the exhibition event.

I was intrigued to see the battle of the sexes. It is a just an exhibition and pointless. Not sure this helps tennis. Kyrgios underarm serve,drop shot ,etc. Not a good look

Greg Rusedski wrote on X

The match, without any shadow of a doubt, bore no resemblance to the second edition of the Battle of the Sexes held in 1973, which saw the legendary Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs. King herself questioned the decision to host another such event, saying her match was for a social cause.

During the on-court interview, Sabalenka expressed her wish to have a rematch, saying Kyrgios was getting tired, which she was happy to see. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist said it was “tough” to compete against the 27-year-old.

Kyrgios will next be seen in action at the 2026 Brisbane International, as he has received the wildcard for the same. This season in the same tournament, the 30-year-old made his comeback following an 18-month injury layoff. But Kyrgios did not register a match win before the Miami Open. He played just five tournaments this year, the last of which was the Citi Open, where he and doubles partner Gael Monfils lost in the first round.

Garbine Muguruza thinks Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek can have a Jannik Sinner-Carlos Alcaraz-like rivalry in the 2026 season

Two-time Grand Slam singles champion Garbine Muguruza is convinced Iga Swiatek will make a strong comeback in the 2026 season to challenge the dominance of Aryna Sabalenka. Muguruza also thinks the World No.1 and the World No.2 could become the Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz of women’s tennis.

Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek (2)
Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek (Image via X/The Tennis Letter, Iga archive)

Despite her aggressiveness and inconsistent game, she is very consistent. For an aggressive player, she is very talented, and it is difficult to achieve such stability. But I see Iga coming on strong, so I think these two players could well be the Alcaraz-Sinner of women’s tennis.

Garbine Muguruza said on Cadena SER

Swiatek was struggling to win tournaments at the start of the year, so much so that even on her favorite surface, clay, she failed to reach a final. But to everyone’s surprise, she reached the title clash of Wimbledon and wrapped it up in her favor by double-bageling Amanda Anisimova.

Before Wimbledon, the six-time Grand Slam champion reached her career’s first grass-court final at the Bad Homburg Open. Swiatek lifted two more titles, at the Cincinnati Open and the Korea Open. Sabalenka made nine finals this season, winning four trophies, including the US Open.

Also read: Ex-ATP Pro Convinced No One Other Than Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz Can Win 2026 Australian Open: “Difficult to Imagine”