Sports fans were not happy with the controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match between 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios and women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka.
The Australian, who is now 671st in the men's rankings after being injured for two years, convincingly beat the Belarusian 6-3 6-3 in straight sets on Sunday (28 December). This was all despite modified rules where each player was restricted to one serve rather than two.
Meanwhile, Sabalenka's side of the court was reduced by nine percent in size to compensate for the difference in speed between men and women's tennis.
There was laughing and joking throughout the game held at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena, with some some under-arm serves and even dance moves from Sabalenka during a timeout.
Advert
“It was a really tough match,” Kyrgios said after taking around 70 minutes to come out on top.
“She’s a hell of a competitor and such a great champion, obviously a multiple grand slam champion.
“I didn’t know what to expect and what role I played – it was just another great opportunity.
“She broke my serve numerous times and I had to strap in.”
Well, it seems viewers were furious with the arrangement, as one person commented on X: "If anyone watched the match they saw that he wasn't even trying. Small court, about 20 percent effort, and still won with that score."
Another penned: "I am sincerely surprised to see such an event held in the current cultural climate, unless the point was to illustrate how silly it is to pretend that men should be allowed to compete in women's sports."
"A 671 ranked men's tennis player defeating 1 ranked women's player, on an unequal court size," someone else said.
"Don't tell us this is such a great advertisement for women's tennis.
"Imagine if this was a match on an equal size court, between same rank players: Alcaraz or Sinner vs Sabalenka."
Despite losing out, Sabalenka said she would be up to take on Kyrgios again.
“I felt great,” she said. “I think I put up a great fight and he was struggling, he got really tired.
“I think it was a great level, I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net, drop shots. Really enjoyed the show.
“I felt like next time when I play him, I already know the tactics, I know his strengths and weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match for sure.”
Anish Vij