“What I’m sad about is that some people got it wrong, the whole idea of that event,” Aryna Sabalenka said.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka has expressed disappointment over the criticism surrounding her recent Battle of the Sexes exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, saying the event succeeded in drawing attention to tennis rather than attempting to prove any competitive point.
Speaking on Tuesday at the season-opening Brisbane International, Sabalenka addressed the backlash that followed the highly publicised exhibition held in Dubai in late December, where she lost 6-3, 6-3 to the Australian. The match that represents both players attracted widespread attention but also raised questions among critics about its underlying motives, with some suggesting it was driven primarily by broadcast ratings and commercial gain.
Sabalenka emphasised that the exhibition was never intended to compare men’s and women’s tennis competitively, but rather to showcase the sport’s global appeal. “It was fun. It was a great challenge. I think we brought so many eyes on tennis.”
She further clarified the objective behind the exhibition, “It wasn’t about proving something to anyone. It was about to show that tennis can be really huge and we can bring a lot of attention on the exhibition match, which usually never happen, and we just proved that. That’s all it was about.”
According to Sabalenka, the visibility generated by the match was a positive outcome for the sport, regardless of the criticism it received. She said, “Because I feel like women’s tennis stands on its own right now.”
Not all players shared Sabalenka’s perspective. On Saturday, world number two Iga Swiatek expressed reservations about the concept, stating that women’s tennis did not require such an exhibition. Her comments highlighted an ongoing debate within the sport regarding the necessity and relevance of mixed-gender exhibition matches in the modern era.
The choice of Kyrgios as Sabalenka’s opponent also sparked discussion. The Australian was previously admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and has faced criticism for misogynistic remarks made earlier in his career, factors that contributed to unease among some observers regarding his role in the event.
In 1973, women’s tennis was still fighting for legitimacy and equality. Billie Jean King, then at the peak of her career, defeated the 55-year-old Riggs in straight sets, a moment widely credited with accelerating progress in recognition and prize money for women’s professional tennis.
While Sabalenka’s match may not have carried the same historical weight, it has reignited debate about gender, representation, and innovation in tennis exhibitions.
