Aryna Sabalenka fumes over ‘Battle of the Sexes’ backlash…
Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka can’t wrap her thoughts round some of criticism from followers after her loss to the Australia’s Nick Kyrgios, 6‑3, 6‑3, in a “Battle of the Sexes” match in Dubai on Sunday.
During a press convention after the exhibition, the top-ranked WTA participant defended the event, explaining that she held her personal against the 2022 Wimbledon finalist in entrance of “pretty big people” at Coca-Cola Arena.
“I don’t understand how people were able to find something negative in this event,” Sabalenka said. “I used to be playing nice tennis. It was an entertaining match. Yeah, he gained the match, however I confirmed nice tennis. It wasn’t like 6-0, 6-0. It was an excellent fight. It was fascinating to observe. It introduced more eyes on tennis.
“I don’t understand how people were able to find something negative in this event.”Battle of the Sexes has positive obtained people speaking 😅 Agree with Aryna Sabalenka? pic.twitter.com/GBB12OyVoV— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 29, 2025
“Legends have been watching this match. Pretty big people have been messaging me wishing all the best and telling me that they have been going to be watching from all different areas of life. I felt like we just introduced more consideration to our sport and I don’t see how it may be unhealthy — how one can discuss unfavorable about this.
“I think the idea behind it is to help our sport grow and show tennis from a different side, that tennis events can be more fun, more entertaining, and we can make it almost as big as Grand Slam matches. I think that the attention we built up to this event was not less than a Grand Slam final.”
Aryna Sabalenka during a press convention after the Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios at Coca-Cola Arena on December 28, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Getty Images
Sabalenka and Kyrgios confronted off in a modern-day version of the 1973 battle between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
King, who was combating for women’s rights and equal pay in tennis, gained in straight units.
Some of the backlash was resulting from different parameters in the match between Sabalenka and Kyrgios.
Sabalenka’s aspect of the courtroom was roughly 9 p.c smaller than Kyrgios’.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia performs a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka (not pictured) during the Battle of the Sexes match at Coca-Cola Arena on December 28, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Getty Images
Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, ripped the match and called it “a money grab” for Sabalenka and Kyrgios.
“Let’s just call it was it was, shall we,” Stubbs, a former six-time Grand Slam doubles champion, wrote on X. “It was a cash seize for each gamers and their administration group. Entertaining? You determine. Important? No.
“No top woman can compete with a good male player, it’s NOT PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE! But $$$ got got! So I hope it was worth it.”
Aryna Sabalenka performs a shot during the Battle of the Sexes match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios of Australia at Coca-Cola Arena on December 28, 2025 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Getty Images
During his press convention after the win, Kyrgios backed Sabalenka, telling reporters that “there’s nothing but positives that can be taken away from this.”
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