Nick Kyrgios has won the exhibition match staged as a new episode of the “Battle of the Sexes” against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai, with a score of 6-3, 6-3.

“The rules had been modified to balance the debate. The Australian played on a court 9% larger than the Belarusian’s, making any interpretation of the result difficult.”

Kyrgios’ Strategic Victory

Despite falling beyond 650th place in the world rankings, Kyrgios, a former Wimbledon finalist, managed to outplay the world No.1 without exerting much energy or hitting the ball hard. His tactics, combined with the larger court size, seemed to be the key to his victory.

“Kyrgios seemed to control the situation and allowed himself some fantasies like a spoon serve (winner), a weapon he had already used in serious matches,” reported the event.

The “Battle of the Sexes” Legacy

The title of the event referred to the iconic 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” match that pitted former American champion Bobby Riggs against the two best players of the time, Margaret Court Smith and Billie Jean King. This earlier event was a landmark in women’s tennis history, as it was about women asserting their worth in a professional era.

“Nothing like this time because women’s tennis is firmly established, as shown, among other things, by the equality of winnings in major tournaments,” the event organizers noted.

17,000 Spectators in Attendance

The remake of the “Battle of the Sexes” attracted 17,000 spectators in Dubai, including celebrities like Brazilian footballer Ronaldo.