Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Dec 29: Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios defeated women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a much-hyped “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match held in Dubai on Sunday, winning 6-3, 6-3 under specially modified rules.

The exhibition, which sparked divided reactions among tennis fans, was far removed from the iconic 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs that played a defining role in women’s tennis history. Unlike that historic contest, Sunday’s match was designed to offset physical differences, with each player allowed only one serve and Sabalenka’s side of the court reduced by nine per cent to curb Kyrgios’ power and speed.

Despite slipping to world number 671 after playing just six ATP matches over the past three seasons, the 30-year-old former Wimbledon finalist proved too strong for Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion.

“It was a really tough match. She’s a hell of a competitor,” Kyrgios said after the contest. “I had to really focus because she was putting a lot of pressure on. It was a hard-fought battle.”

The exhibition reignited debate around gender-based exhibition formats in tennis, though organisers maintained it was intended purely as an entertainment spectacle rather than a competitive benchmark.