In a match that was far more lighthearted than antagonistic, Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 at Dubai on Sunday in a match dubbed “Battle of the Sexes.”
After the friends floated the concept in an interview earlier this year, the match became a reality with Kyrgios using the one-hour, 17-minute effort as a prelude to his comeback on the ATP Tour.
Kyrgios, 30, has missed most of the past two seasons with knee and wrist injuries. His ATP comeback next month will include initial appearances in the Brisbane International and the Australian Open on wild-card entries.
The Australia native has plummeted to No. 673 in the world after rising as high as No. 13 in 2016.
“Of course I was nervous,” Kyrgios said afterward on the match broadcast. “I don’t think many people would have put their hand up to be in this position, especially in my (recovery) position. Obviously, Aryna was up for the challenge. The scoreline was closer than it (appeared).”
Sabalenka broke Kyrgios’ serve three times, while Kyrgios had six breaks of service.
“I felt great and I think I put up a great fight,” said Sabalenka, a four-time grand slam winner from Belarus, who has won each of the last two U.S. Opens. “… I think it was a great level. I made a lot of great shots and moved a lot to the net.”
The pair even hinted at another match against each other down the road.
The most notable of a handful of Battle of the Sexes matches from the past was Billie Jean King’s 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973.
“This was all the (tennis) world was talking about for the last six months,” Kyrgios said. “From where I was two years ago, I was sidelined, I wasn’t even able to use my right hand. To even get back out her and compete with somebody as great as Aryna is pretty emotional.”
Sunday’s included a few modified rules. There was just one serve allowed for each point and Sabalenka’s side of the court was 9% smaller than Kyrgios’.
–Field Level Media
