Fans Blast ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Tennis Match Following Kyrgios’ Victory Over Sabalenka

Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to clinch the 2025 iteration of the “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai on Sunday, December 28, drawing mockery from fans across social media.

“Does Sabalenka even realize how foolish this makes her look? Battle of the Sexes… girl, so cringeworthy,” stated one fan on X, along with a screenshot from the match.

Kyrgios took the opening two sets in the best-of-three format, winning 6-3, 6-3.

This Sunday’s “Battle of the Sexes” evoked memories of the iconic 1973 match featuring Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, where King triumphed, marking a pivotal moment in the progression of women’s tennis.

However, the 2025 “Battle of the Sexes” lacked that same significance, carrying a more entertaining vibe rather than representing a momentous cultural or political event.

Despite her defeat, Sabalenka hinted at the possibility of a rematch against Kyrgios.

“I truly enjoyed the show,” Sabalenka remarked post-match. “Next time I face him, I think I’ll be more aware of his tactics, strengths, and weaknesses, leading to a much better match for sure.”

Kyrgios praised Sabalenka’s performance, despite appearing fatigued after their encounter.

“She’s an incredible athlete; when she was moving laterally, she executed shots that some top men make,” he commented after the match. “I’m not surprised, having practiced with her before. It was a close match; it could have gone either way.”

Kyrgios is currently ranked No. 671 in men’s singles and has played only five matches in 2025 while recovering from injury. He was the runner-up at Wimbledon in 2022.

“I felt nervous,” he admitted. “Not many would want to be in this position. The score was tight, and I was really feeling the pressure. This has been the talk of the world for the past six months. A year or 18 months ago, I couldn’t even use my right hand. I’m just glad to be back out here—it’s quite emotional.”

In contrast, Sabalenka holds the No. 1 ranking on the women’s side and recently clinched a US Open championship.

“By participating in this match against a guy, I’m inspiring the next generation [of women] to strive for greatness, challenge themselves, and be resilient,” Sabalenka stated in a press conference earlier this week.

Reactions on social media indicated that fans were not overly impressed with the event.

“I’d love to know who thought the #battleofthesexes was a good idea,” expressed another user on X. “Who actually comes out of this looking good? The 659th ranked male player just defeated the women’s world number one rather comfortably, despite the rules favoring her. What a farce.”

“A major loss for the ‘men and women are equal’ camp,” remarked a different user on X. “The 2025 Battle of the Sexes: World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka vs. World No. 671 Nick Kyrgios (injured). They even gave her a smaller court. Kyrgios wins in straight sets.”

The match implemented modified rules, allowing each player only one serve per point instead of the usual two. Additionally, Sabalenka’s side of the court was nine percent smaller than Kyrgios’s.

“I enjoy challenging myself, and this is a significant challenge, especially when playing against Nick, who is unpredictable and wild,” Sabalenka mentioned to reporters before the match. “It’s excellent training for me and sends a positive message to young girls out there—I hope they see my strength and resilience by competing against a man.”