World number one Aryna Sabalenka has responded to criticism surrounding her much-debated “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, saying the backlash left her feeling “sad” and misunderstood.
Sabalenka lost 6-3, 6-3 in the high-profile Dubai exhibition on December 28, but insisted the event was never intended to prove a point about gender. Instead, she said the aim was to showcase tennis in a new light and attract wider attention.
Sabalenka’s Response
“What I’m sad about is that some people got it wrong, the whole idea of that event.”
“It was fun. It was a great challenge. I think we brought so many eyes on tennis. It wasn’t about proving something to anyone.”
She explained that the match was designed to highlight tennis’ ability to draw audiences beyond traditional formats.
Mixed Reactions
- Iga Swiatek, world number two, questioned the need for such crossover spectacles, saying women’s tennis “stands on its own right now.”
- The choice of Kyrgios as opponent added controversy, given his past legal and disciplinary issues.
- The exhibition featured modified rules to balance physical differences but inevitably drew comparisons to the iconic 1973 Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
Historical Context
The original 1973 match carried immense social significance, as Billie Jean King’s victory helped legitimize women’s tennis and advanced the fight for equal prize money. Sabalenka stressed that her exhibition was not meant to replicate that moment, but simply to entertain and broaden tennis’ reach.
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