Posted on 01/01/2026 4:32:23 PM PST by nickcarraway
Kyrgios won the tilt 6-3, 6-3 from a break down in the second set, and afterwards said the match was "a great stepping stone forward for the sport of tennis."
The much-talked about "Battle of the Sexes" match between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka was won Sunday by the Aussie in straight sets.
The two players promised "a show" in the months leading up to the event at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, but the marquee meeting took a while to warm up, both literally and figuratively, as the players adjusted to its modified rules. The court was nearly 10% smaller on Sabalenka's side, and both players serving once per point instead of the usual two.
The unique playing arena saw the two players trade breaks twice in the first set, before Kyrgios claimed the last three games. He also came from a break down in the second set of what was ultimately a 6-3, 6-3 win.
But saying afterwards that the match was more competitive than the scoreboard indicated, Kyrgios claimed there was no need to call himself the "champ."
"Seeing us out here tonight truly is a spectacle and is a stepping stone forward in the game of tennis," the former Wimbledon finalist said, adding that he was nervous to start because "this match was all the world was talking about for the last six months."
He also teased that the match could be the first of many meetings between the two, who are both represented by sports agency Evolve. The match was played in a friendly spirit, as the two players laughed and joked, hit some under-arm serves, and comically grunted. The top-ranked women's player arrived on court like a prize fighter, complete with a sparkling overcoat, and even danced during a timeout to entertain the 6,000 fans in attendance.
"I would love to play her again to show her talents and see what I have in the tank," Kyrgios said.
"I think it was a great level," Sabalenka said. "I really enjoyed the show ... and I feel like next time, when I play him, I'll know the tactics, his strengths, his weaknesses, and it will be a better show for sure."
"I love challenges and I would love to play [him] again," she added.
Women’s word cup teams get more than men. By that, I mean they get a higher percentage of the money that’s earned through whole Women’s Word Cup tournament, and associated sources of revenue.
The second full day went faster, seemed to be easier. Done for now, sorry for the wordy new year.
Pretty sound opinion, in my opinion, 🙂
:)
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