Kyrgios tames WTA No.1 Sabalenka in latest “Battle of the Sexes”

Despite having played only a handful of matches since losing the 2022 Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic and undergoing career threatening surgeries, ATP World No. 671 Nick Kyrgios comfortably beat WTA No 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in the latest iteration of the “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai.

The event was watched by a sellout crowd of 17,000, including retired soccer players Ronaldo and Peter Crouch, and millions on TV globally,  

The size of the court on Sabalenka’s side was reduced by 9% giving Kyrgios a smaller target to hit and intended to ensure a more level playing field and the fact women are slower than men.

Both players were only allowed one serve.

As it happened Sabalenka missed more first serves in the decisive moments.

During the pair’s pre tournament tour of the US TV chat-show circuit publicising the event, Kyrgios insisted his tennis would do the talking, and it did.

Sabalenka boasted that she would “kick Kyrgios’ ass” and made her own fashion statement as she took to the court.

Afterwards Sabalenka said “I felt great. I think I put up a great fight. He was struggling, he got really tired,”

“I think it was a great level, I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net, drop shots. I really enjoyed the show.”