Another edition of the Battle of the Sexes series has concluded, with Nick Kyrgios defeating Aryna Sabalenka.
Kyrgios beat Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai, with Billie Jean King having beaten Bobby Riggs in the first edition back in 1973.
King questioned Sabalenka’s decision to play against Kyrgios, who is currently ranked 671st on the ATP Tour.
Conversely, Sabalenka is the number one player on the WTA Tour, but she was comfortably beaten by her male counterpart.
What was your opinion on the Battle of the Sexes match?
Annabel Croft thinks Nick Kyrgios played ‘junk tennis’ against Aryna Sabalenka
Following the match closely for BBC One was former British number one Annabel Croft, who said on commentary afterwards: “It didn’t quite live up to what I thought it might be.
“I think that was a lot to do with the way that Kyrgios played. He did what he has done on the Tour generally.
“He is a very awkward customer for anybody. So he was throwing in so much junk tennis. He was slicing and chopping his forehand, slow-balling, awkwardness.
“But the ball was moving a lot, particularly on his serve. The ability with the only one serve he could use, but the way the ball would move in the air.
“You could see she was returning way outside the court and somewhere above head height where she could not really control the ball and even when she got hold of it she could not do what she usually does on the women’s tour, which is strike through the court and do damage.
“He was very smart in how he played and he was so casual and laid back and sometimes he will just accelerate.
“You felt at any point he could dip into other gears and just keep on motoring through the match, but I did not feel like it showcased her enough, of what we know she is capable of.
“So perhaps it was disappointing in terms of the way that it could have showcased her but it had its moments, she certainly did not embarrass herself in any way and I didn’t expect her to win that match.
“He is an awkward customer. So I would be interested to see if he does decide to go back on to the men’s tour and if he could bring his level in the men’s tour as well. But I think it has been good preparation for her to be honest.”
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios enjoy positive Australian swing warm-up
Both players were definitely limited in the match, having each only been awarded one serve instead of two.
Moreover, Kyrgios had a smaller target to hit given that Sabalenka’s side of the court had been reduced by 9%.
Which two players in tennis history would you like to see in a Battle of the Sexes match?
Still, it was an entertaining affair, and both players may just have used the clash to prepare for the Australian swing.
Sabalenka now turns her attention to the Australian Open, a tournament at which she lost the final in 2025, having lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2024.
Meanwhile, Kyrgios has received a Brisbane wildcard, with the home favorite needing the same lifeline to compete at the Australian Open.
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