Nick Kyrgios defeated women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition tennis match at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai.
Kyrgios, 30, from Australia, is currently ranked 671st in the world. He has played limited competitive tennis since 2023 due to a significant wrist injury.
When he tore his scapholunate ligament, he needed major surgery to fully reconstruct his wrist and was unable to compete for a significant period. He only returned to playing earlier this year, and has only just begun to find his way back into the sport.
His wrist problems have not fully gone away, and as recently as March of this year he had to withdraw partway through his first-round match at Indian Wells because of continued wrist pain.
His most recent appearance prior to this event was in March.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka, 27, currently holds the top spot in the women’s world rankings, having won the US Open in August of this year and reached the semi-finals or better at all four Grand Slams in 2025.
The match was also conducted under a specific set of modified rules. Both players were restricted to a single serve per point, designed to limit the male power advantage, and the dimensions of the court on Sabalenka’s side were reduced by 9% to account for the natural biological speed, strength and agility advantages of men over women.
The contest concluded 6-3, 6-3 in approximately 70 minutes, with Kyrgios taking the victory. While a 10-point tiebreak was available to decide the match if the players split sets, it was not required.
In the second set, Sabalenka held a 3-1 lead before Kyrgios won five consecutive games to secure the victory.
The exhibition was organised by the agency that represents both players.
The contest was light-hearted in tone, with both players laughing and joking during the match, and the victor speaking highly of his opponent after the game was over.
Speaking after his victory, Kyrgios said it was a “really tough match,” describing Sabalenka as “a hell of a player” and “such a great champion”. He said that “she was hitting some amazing shots” and that she had put “pressure” on him during the game.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka said she felt she had her male opponent “struggling” at points.
“I felt great,” she said.
“I think I put up a great fight and he was struggling. I think it was a great level. I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net, had great drop shots.
“I really enjoyed the show and I feel like next time I play him, I already know the tactics. I know his strengths, his weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match for sure.”
Before match, Sabalenka had said that she didn’t feel like the match would do anything to diminish women’s tennis, regardless of the outcome, acknowledging that men have a physical advantage over women.
“I am not putting myself at any risk,” she said.
“We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.
“It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that. This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.”