The so-called ‘Battle of the Sexes’ between world number one Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios promised a unique showdown between two current tennis stars. However, what was supposed to be a competitive duel between top-level figures ended up diverting into a spectacle that many international media have harshly criticized, questioning both the intensity and the conditions of the match.
The event, held Sunday at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, failed to embody the essence of the historic 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which remains a symbol of the struggle for equality in sport. Analysts, journalists and spectators have expressed their disappointment with the way the match unfolded, both on and off the court.
From expectations to criticism: the party described as a “circus”.
The initial anticipation surrounding the match was high, and many tennis fans expected to see an intense confrontation between two talents with very different styles and strengths. However, the match did not live up to those expectations.
The Guardian, one of the media that followed the event closely, did not hesitate to call it a “circus”: “The battle of the sexes became a circus, it was a match for those with a casual interest in tennis. It was very different from the match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.” This sentence sums up the sentiment of a significant part of the specialized public, who felt that the exhibition lacked the competitive essence that should characterize a challenge between two figures of this caliber.
Sabalenka leaves Krygios SPEECHLESS 😱
Can’t hit a better forehand on the run 👏 pic.twitter.com/Q852fzI4ek
– Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 28, 2025
Similarly, the BBC underlined the lack of intensity and the light tone of the clash, highlighting mainly Kyrgios’ attitude: “The battle of the sexes was far from the promised intensity and spectacle. Moreover, Kyrgios played carefree and trying to shorten the points as much as possible. It was just a mere exhibition match at the end of the season.”
From another perspective, ABC News pointed to the passivity of the crowd as a reflection of the lack of excitement on the court: “Even the applause seemed forced and it seemed like everyone was relieved that the match was over in an hour and a half.”
These comments, among others, have fueled a debate on whether these types of events maintain their competitive value or if, on the contrary, they are reduced to spectacles that have little to do with elite sport.
Rules and conditions under scrutiny
One of the recurring criticisms that arose after the match has to do with the specific conditions in which the game was played, which were far from being fair or sporting in the traditional sense.
The match was played on an asymmetrical surface, with the court reduced on the Belarusian Sabalenka’s side by 9% less playable ground. These adjustments generated debate because, although they are part of the “Battle of the Sexes,” they can significantly influence the performance of the players, especially when it comes to high-level players accustomed to standard conditions.
Before the match, French tennis player Alizé Cornet criticized such rules, questioning Sabalenka’s decision to accept them: “Why did she accept these rules? Why did she accept to reduce the size of her side when she is the world number one? She is the great dominating player on the WTA circuit and surely she could have played on a normal court against Kyrgios.”
Cornet also defended that these decisions limited Sabalenka’s abilities: “These decisions diminished Sabalenka’s abilities, as she can defend from the back of the court against a Kyrgios who is semi-retired, untrained and with a very swollen knee.” These words evidence that, even before the match, there were doubts about the set-up of the challenge.
A show rather than a competitive duel
The description of the atmosphere and the development of the match reinforced the idea that the event was perceived more as a show than as a serious confrontation. The presence of celebrities such as Ronaldo, Kaká or Peter Crouch in the stands underlined the media rather than the sporting character of the event.
The match unfolded with gestures for the gallery and moments of complicity between both players, with a style that contrasted radically with the historical rivalry between King and Riggs. Kyrgios, known for his extroverted personality, starred in humorous moments, such as sending overhead serves or points with exaggerated drop shots. In one of the time-outs, Sabalenka even broke out into a “La Macarena” dance, one of the moments that most caught the attention of those who followed the broadcast.
Statements after the match
At the end of the duel, Kyrgios stated, “It was a hard fought battle. I wouldn’t say I’m the winner, I’d say the show won.” His phrase sums up well the overall tone of the event: a mix of light-hearted competition and entertainment over traditional competitive performance.
For his part, Sabalenka, despite the defeat (6-3, 6-3), was positive about the future. She acknowledged that she knew Kyrgios’ strengths and weaknesses during the match and expressed her interest in a new confrontation: “I feel that the next time I play against him I already know the tactics. I know his strengths and weaknesses. I’m sure it will be a better match… I would love to play again.”
This statement not only reflects sportsmanship, but also the possibility that this type of event could be rethought or evolve in future editions.
