Nick Kyrgios defeated women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a highly publicized “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition tennis match. Kyrgios is ranked No. 671 in the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
While not quite living up to the Billie Jean King moment, where many believe Bobby Riggs tanked in a publicity stunt, the latest “battle” is still causing quite a stir. Sabalenka’s loss dealt a crushing blow to those who support biological males competing in women’s sports.
The rules implemented were meant to intentionally handicap Kyrgios by taking away his serve. At the same time, Sabalenka’s side of the court was reduced by 9% based on average movement speed differences between men and women.
I mean, they quite literally changed the court and by doing so proved the physical differences between male and female tennis players. Despite these adjustments, Kyrgios dominated the match (6-3, 6-3).
Now, critics are ripping her over the match.
Aryna Sabalenka Claps Back at Critics
Kyrgios’ and Aryna Sabalenka’s match drew significant criticism for lacking the social and cultural significance of Billie Jean King’s iconic 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs. Albeit that cultural significance was entirely manufactured.
Critics, including King herself, argued that the modern iteration was more of a commercial spectacle than a meaningful statement.
“The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. That’s it. Everything else, no,” King told the BBC. “Ours was about social change; culturally, where we were in 1973. This one is not.”
Post-match, Sabalenka had some thoughts.
“I don’t understand how people were able to find something negative in this event,” she told reporters. “I was playing great tennis. It was an entertaining match. Yeah, he won the match, but I showed great tennis. It wasn’t like 6-0, 6-0. It was a great fight. It was interesting to watch. It brought more eyes on tennis.”
"I don't understand how people were able to find something negative in this event."
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 29, 2025
Battle of the Sexes has sure got people talking 😅 Agree with Aryna Sabalenka? pic.twitter.com/GBB12OyVoV
READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios Tops Aryna Sabalenka in Straight Sets in ‘Battle of the Sexes’
Biological Differences Exist
Let’s face it, one of the most over-hyped tennis matches in the history of the sport was Billie Jean King’s win in the original “Battle of the Sexes.”
Riggs was 55 at the time and was clearly selling the match like a WWE star with his chauvinistic trash-talking. It was pretty clear that the game was rigged worse than a professional wrestling bout.
An ESPN investigation in 2013 also alleged Riggs intentionally threw the match to settle gambling debts with the mob—claims based on a single witness overhearing mob discussions and supported by some who knew Riggs’ gambling habits.
Some observers and tennis insiders noted Riggs played poorly compared to his dominant win over Margaret Court earlier that year, leading to speculation he threw the match to King.
Aryna Sabalenka, in comments prior to her match, stated that biological male athletes hold a “huge advantage over women” in sports. Common sense dictates that she is correct.
Sabalenka, in an interview with Piers Morgan, argued that it is “just not fair to women to basically face biological men.”