Aryna Sabalenka has defended her participation in the recent “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, despite facing criticism from tennis fans. The Belarusian tennis player, currently ranked number one in women’s singles, lost the match 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena.
In a post-match press conference, Sabalenka expressed her confusion over the negative reaction to the event, stating that it brought more attention to tennis and was an entertaining match. She argued that the idea behind the event was to help grow the sport and show tennis from a different perspective, making it more fun and entertaining.
However, many tennis fans on social media were not pleased with Sabalenka’s comments, with some ridiculing her for losing to Kyrgios, who has not played competitively in recent years and is currently ranked 671 in the world. Others questioned Sabalenka’s moral compass, bringing up past incidents involving her.
Kyrgios also weighed in on the criticism, pointing out that he has beaten top players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray in the past. He argued that Sabalenka’s ability to compete against him was a positive takeaway from the event, demonstrating that she can hold her own against a player who has beaten the best in the history of tennis.
The “Battle of the Sexes” match has sparked a lively debate among tennis fans, with some seeing it as a fun and entertaining event, while others view it as a mismatch and a negative reflection on women’s tennis. Both Sabalenka and Kyrgios will now turn their attention to the 2026 Brisbane International, their first competitive outing of the new tennis season.
The controversy surrounding the “Battle of the Sexes” match highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women’s tennis in terms of recognition and respect. While events like this can bring attention to the sport, they also risk being seen as gimmicks or publicity stunts. As the tennis season gets underway, it will be interesting to see how Sabalenka and other female players navigate these challenges and work to promote their sport.