An exhibition tennis match in Dubai, promoted as a modern echo of Billie Jean King's famed 'Battle of the Sexes', ended in a straightforward victory for the male player, failing to generate the historic impact of its 1973 inspiration.
A Mismatched Spectacle in Dubai
On Sunday, at the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus faced Australia's Nick Kyrgios, currently ranked 671st in the men's game. The event was conceived as a nod to King's iconic 1973 triumph over Bobby Riggs at the Houston Astrodome, a pivotal moment for women's sport.
However, the contest was a starkly different affair. Kyrgios, 30, secured a clear 6-3, 6-3 win, despite not having played a competitive match since March due to injury. In contrast to King's insistence on standard rules to prove a point, this exhibition featured several modifications designed to level the playing field.
Modified Rules and Theatrical Flair
The organisers implemented specific changes to curb the natural advantages of the male player. Sabalenka's side of the court was reduced in size by 9% to account for men's typical speed, players did not change ends, and each was permitted only one serve per point to neutralise Kyrgios's powerful delivery.
The match itself was interspersed with theatrical moments. Sabalenka, 27, arrived to 'Eye of the Tiger' wearing a silver trench coat, later revealing a halterneck tennis dress. A regular TikTok user, she called a 60-second timeout to perform the macarena dance after play began. "I think it was quite fun, I like to do crazy stuff," she remarked afterwards.
The spectacle also attracted high-profile guests, though Brazilian football legend Ronaldo and former England striker Peter Crouch were notably ushered to their seats during the second set, having arrived late.
Contrasting Legacies and Reactions
The original 1973 match was a cultural landmark. King, then 29 and a ten-time Grand Slam champion, defeated the 55-year-old retired Wimbledon winner Riggs, sending interest in women's sport skyrocketing. The event was later immortalised in a 2017 Hollywood film.
Sunday's event, however, faced perceptions of being a more commercially driven affair, with both players signed to the same management company, Evolve. The optics were further complicated by Kyrgios's past guilty plea to a charge of common assault against a former girlfriend, for which he received no conviction.
Post-match, Sabalenka appeared unfazed, stating, "Playing against a guy is different tennis, everything is much faster." She added, "I feel like next time... it's going to be a better match for sure." Kyrgios was gracious in victory, saying, "I wouldn't call myself a champ tonight." He praised Sabalenka and called the event "a great step forward for the sport."
Ultimately, while providing entertainment, the Dubai exhibition underscored the enduring uniqueness and significance of Billie Jean King's genuine sporting and social triumph nearly five decades ago.
