Aryna Sabalenka Strikes First Blow in Battle of the Sexes
Locker Room
December 11, 2025
Aryna Sabalenka already seems to have Nick Kyrgios running scared.
The Battle of the Sexes takes place in Dubai later this month and is attracting plenty of attention already.
Sabalenka is a three-time Wimbledon women’s semi-finalist – and Kyrgios famously reached the men’s final in 2022.
They are both marvellously entertaining performers on grass – and hugely popular at the All England Club.
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will be big box office at Wimbledon 2026 – in their respective singles tournaments of course!
But the showdown in Dubai is understandably capturing the imagination around the tennis world during this quieter period.
Can a top woman really compete with powerful male player on a tennis court? The controversial man in the mix definitely thinks so.
In fact Aussie bad boy Nick Kyrgios has already abandoned all pretence of gentlemanly behaviour!
He has dropped what would have been regarded by many as a straightforward concession.
A levelling up of the contest could have come through Sabalenka having two serves and the Australian only one.
Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Sabalenka explained the circumstances behind what must surely be seen as her first psychological victory.
Aryna revealed: ‘Originally I had two serves but then he got so stressed. He took away one serve. It was so bad for him to do that. To be a gentleman he has to give me two, right?
Kyrgios admitted: ‘We had an initial meeting and I was very OK with all the [proposed] rules. Don’t get me wrong, her serve is very good and is better than some males.
‘So I feel like if she had two serves and I only had one serve, I would be the underdog and I’m not even joking.’
In 1973 Billie Jean King beat self-confessed chauvinist Bobby Riggs in the first Battle of the Sexes, paving the way for equal pay for women in tennis.
Could Sabalenka follow suit with her own extraordinary victory? It could be tougher against Kyrgios, now that he has evened up the service count.
But at least Aryna’s side of the court will be nine per cent smaller in both length and width. And even that minor concession seems to have left the male in this drama slightly unnerved.
Aryna Sabalenka will give the crowd their money’s worth in the showdown with Kyrgios – just as she will at Wimbledon 2026.
Will you be there on Centre Court next summer? We can secure your tickets right now if you get in touch.