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Nick Kyrgios defeats Aryna Sabalenka to win 'Battle of the Sexes' tennis match
Nick Kyrgios defeated women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in a modified rules exhibition that divided fans and drew criticism for its format and spectacle.
- On Sunday December 28 at 3:45pm GMT, Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka in the Dubai exhibition match at Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai.
- Organisers said the event was a modern recasting of the 1973 Battle of the Sexes and the Evolve agency promoted it as a marquee exhibition critics say aims only for profit.
- With a one-serve limit and a smaller court for Sabalenka, both players faced the one-serve rule, nine per cent smaller court, and best-of-three with 10-point tiebreak format.
- Billie Jean King said this version is 'not the same' and critics warned it risks inflating Kyrgios's ego while fueling online trolls and misogynists.
- Kyrgios has said he played five official matches in 2025 and targets a 2026 return, while Aryna Sabalenka is the strong favourite for next month's Australian Open 2026.
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The unusual match between the two tennis stars has received a lot of criticism, but both players say it is completely unjustified.
·Budapest, Hungary
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Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios come out fighting after staging controversial 'Battle of the Sexes' match
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios have fired back at detractors following their "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition contest, expressing bewilderment at the wave of criticism directed towards the event.The pair insisted they could not comprehend why a match designed to promote tennis attracted such hostility from within the sport.Kyrgios, the former Wimbledon finalist, overcame world No 1 Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 before a capacity crowd at Dubai's Coca-Cola…
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources220
Leaning Left49Leaning Right39Center44Last UpdatedBias Distribution37% Left
Bias Distribution
- 37% of the sources lean Left
37% Left
L 37%
C 33%
R 30%
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