Sabalenka – Kyrgios clash, the first “Battle of the Sexes” of this century, cut in 77 minutes » Aryna, entrance of big days: “I had prepared something else”
Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Sunday, December 28, 2025 7:48 p.m. / Updated Sunday, December 28, 2025 8:05 p.m.
Nick Kyrgios (30 years old, 671 ATP) decisively defeated Aryna Sabalenka (27 years old, 1 WTA) in the demonstration match called “Battle of the Sexes”, score 6-3, 6-3. The match took place in the United Arab Emirates, in Dubai, at the Coca-Cola Arena.
At the demonstration in Dubai there were special rules: Sabalenka's half of the court was 9% shorter than the Aussie's, and the two had just one serve.
Even in these conditions, the 671 ATP place had no big problems in front of the leader in the women's circuit. The game lasted one hour and 17 minutes.
VIDEO+PHOTOS. Nick Kyrgios, victorious in the “Battle of the Sexes” with Aryna Sabalenka
The Australian won the first set 6-3. Sabalenka won the first game, the Australian tied, and the two went head-to-head until the score was 3-3. Then the Australian broke away and won the set.
In the second set, the two went head-to-head again until 3-3, but Nick Kyrgios broke away again and won the second set as well.
At the end of the game, Aryna Sabalenka commented on the special entrance she had at the Coca Cola Arena. The world No. 1 stepped out in a glittering overcoat to 'Eye of the tiger', the 1982 hit by the band 'Survivor'.
“I had another idea for the entrance, I had prepared something else, but I didn't have time to stage it. It was my team's idea, I think it was funny and a nice memory. I would like to do this several times during the season,” Aryna Sabalenka said.
ICONIC walkout for the tigress 🐯🎶
Aryna Sabalenka takes the court against Nick Kyrgios for the Battle of the Sexes! pic.twitter.com/LysNCidESU
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 28, 2025
It was a tough match, she is a fighter by definition. He has many Grand Slams. I would like to play against her again. I didn't know what to expect. It was a great opportunity. He gave me a lot of breaks. It was a tough fight. I think tennis is a show. It is exciting for me to compete after having so many physical problems.
–Nick Kyrgios
VIDEO. The final point in the “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai
And that's all she wrote!
Nick Kyrgios defeats Aryna Sabalenka to win the Battle of the Sexes 👏 pic.twitter.com/9Yysdt6F5V
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 28, 2025
Why there were special rules in the 'Battle of the Sexes' Aryna Sabalenka – Nick Kyrgios
According to the BBC, the two special rules were introduced to even out the matchup. According to the organizers, Arya Sabalenka's court was reduced by 9% because this percentage is the speed difference between men's and women's tennis.
The one-serve rule was introduced “to curtail Nick Kyrgios' power and speed advantage”, so that if the Aussie miss-serves, he doesn't have another try.
VIDEO. Ronaldo Nazario was in the stands to watch the Sabalenka – Kyrgios match
The world's biggest tennis fan.
Ronaldo in the house for the Battle of the Sexes 🤩 pic.twitter.com/Z0wmO5OlDN
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) December 28, 2025
It was the fourth “Battle of the Sexes” in tennis history, the first this century
Bobby Riggs played in the first two such matches in 1973. The American was then 55 years old and defeated Margaret Court, score 6-1, 6-2. Four months later he played Billie Jean King who was 29 years old and number 2 on the women's circuit. Billie Jean King prevailed then in 3 sets, score 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. The game in the “Houston Astrodome” gathered more than 30,000 fans in the arena.
The third “battle of the sexes” took place in September 1992 in Las Vegas. Jimmy Connors prevailed over Martina Martina Navratilova, score 7–5, 6–2.
