Nick Kyrgios Claims Hollow Triumph in Battle of the Sexes
Locker Room
December 29, 2025
Nick Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka to win the so-called Battle of the Sexes in Dubai.
In reality, Kyrgios had pretty much won the contest in pre-match negotiations about the rules.
What would have made for a level playing field was disallowed by the fearful Australian.
He refused to give Sabalenka two serves to his one. Aryna called it less than gentlemanly at the time.
Many will believe the match was doomed to something less than competitive from that moment.
Nick Kyrgios will be so much more interesting if he can find fresh fitness in time to star at Wimbledon 2026.
Most of us will remember his exciting charge to the Wimbledon final in 2022. And the natural power he never turned on in Dubai.
In recent injury-plagued years, the former bad-boy of tennis had slumped to world number 671.
Still he beat Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3. He capitalised on her nervous faults. He stayed more relaxed and that was also key.
Kyrgios didn’t fall into the trap of trying to hit too hard into a reduced court on Aryna’s side of the net.
Critics claimed he barely tapped into his own force – and that meant the evening was nothing more than a meaningless circus.
Sabalenka embraced the showbiz element. She made a big entrance in a sparkling raincoat. She danced the Macarena during a time-out before the match ended.
‘This is a great stepping stone for the sport of tennis,’ Kyrgios claimed as he looked back on the evening,
Perhaps this bizarre event could claim to be an intriguing exploration of what might bring a fresh, younger audience to the sport.
Both players wanted a rematch. But you sense there would be less clamour for another showdown.
Nick Kyrgios handed a moral victory to women’s tennis when he refused to give Sabalenka that extra serve.
He would have to reverse that decision to make a rematch sufficiently interesting. Will it happen? Do we really care?
Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka in their respective singles tournaments at Wimbledon 2026 would be more of a thrill.
Perhaps they will play mixed doubles? Time will tell.
But you can secure your Wimbledon 2026 debenture seats through us right now.
Truly competitive sporting drama in an historic setting is guaranteed!
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