 "Kyrgios showers praise on Sabalenka after winning controversial 'Battle of Sexes': 'She's a hell of a competitor'")
Nick Kyrgios said he was consistently put under pressure by Aryna Sabalenka in their exhibition ‘Battle of the Sexes’ clash on Sunday night in Dubai where the Australian defeated the reigning women’s world number one in straight sets.
Kyrgios beat Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in the clash that was dubbed as a modern iteration of Billie Jean King’s famous win over Bobby Riggs in 1973.
The game was played with tweaks in rules to make it a level playing field for Sabalenka who gave a tough fight to the former world number 13. She started both the sets well but Kyrgios managed to persevere and stormed to victory.
Kyrgios described the match as a “great opportunity” and also showered praise on Sabalenka even as the clash was panned by a section of critics.
Sabalenka “a hell of a competitor”
“It was a really tough match,” Kyrgios, who has struggling with injuries in recent years, said after his win. “She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion. Obviously, she’s a multiple Grand Slam champion. And I didn’t really know what to expect."
“She broke my serve numerous times. And honestly, I had to strap it because she was putting the pressure on; hitting amazing shots. I would love to play her again and showcase her talent and also what I have left in the tank. Ultimately, it was a really hard-fought battle and there were breaks back and forth,” he added.
“I think I put on a great fight,” Sabalenka too agreed. “He was struggling. He got really tight. I’m happy to see that the guy is getting tight and (after) 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 and I feel like the next time when I play him, I already know the tactics. I know his strengths, his weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match for sure,” the four-time Grand Slam winner added.
Battle of Sexes criticism
The match embroiled in controversy well before it took place and the clash, once it was done, also could not convince some. The match was earlier criticised for being detrimental to the cause of women’s tennis while some also termed Kyrgios as misogynist.
I begrudgingly wrote about today's Battle of the Sexes, in which everything was dumb and bad and everyone was a loser in the end. https://t.co/fDazJQIuTz
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) December 28, 2025
Sabalenka-Kyrgios - the most, dispiriting, badly-staged, exploitative, lifeless, mishandled, ill-judged, half-arsed bit of sport I’ve watched for some time.
— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) December 28, 2025
Whoever the fuck came with this idea of battle of sexes between Kyrgios and Sabalenka should be jailed for life.
— Ultimate Boss (@UltimateBoss20) December 28, 2025
Utter nonsense!! pic.twitter.com/kTnEB1uYqI
What positives are there to take from watching an obviously unfit Kyrgios beating the world number 1 Sabalenka in straight sets? Not sure there's anything honestly.
— Scott Barclay (@BarclayCard18) December 28, 2025
This Sabalenka vs Kyrgios match isn’t going undo any commercial progress the WTA has made
— Stephen (@slomo_delpo) December 28, 2025
It’s just stupid, is all
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