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Nick Kyrgios' Brutal Response to Tennis Player Who Slammed 'Battle of The Sexes'

Home> Tennis

Published 11:46 5 Jan 2026 GMT

Nick Kyrgios' Brutal Response to Tennis Player Who Slammed 'Battle of The Sexes'

Kyrgios beat Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 in the fourth 'Battle of the Sexes' match in tennis history.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

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Nick Kyrgios has given a brutal response after a former tennis player criticised his 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Aryna Sabalenka.

Kyrgios defeated women's world number one Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai on December 28.

It was the fourth time in history that an intergender singles match has been sanctioned in professional tennis.

Two of the three previous matches occurred in 1973, with American player Bobby Riggs first defeating Margaret Court.

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Later that year, Billie Jean King defeated Riggs in what was seen as a watershed moment for women's tennis.

52 years on, the latest 'Battle of the Sexes' match received a mixed reception, with many questioning whether it was necessary.

Women's world number two Iga Swiatek stated that she didn't watch the match, adding: "I wouldn't say it had anything to do with social change or any important topics.

"The name was the same as the one from the Billie Jean King match in '73, and that's it.

"I feel women's tennis stands on its own right now. We have so many great athletes and great stories to present.

"We don't necessarily need to compare to men's tennis and I don't think there needs to be any [Battle of the Sexes] competition."

Sarah Pitkowski, a former women's world number 29 and one-time winner on the WTA Tour, went a step further, calling Kyrgios 'detestable' and 'disrespectful'.

"Nick Kyrgios' attitude and behaviour were absolutely detestable," she told RMC Sport.

"The guy is detestable. He's so arrogant, it's the worst.

"He's doing more harm to men's tennis than Sabalenka, who's trying to play seriously against a pathetic guy who's just trying to revive his career when all he does is provoke.

Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 in Dubai (Image: Getty)
Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3 6-3 in Dubai (Image: Getty)

"But if you don't want to play tennis, to fly, if it bothers you, you stay in Australia and quit!

"He was so nonchalant that it's even disrespectful to those who put money into these kinds of shows."

Kyrgios, who is currently ranked at world number 670 after several years of injury problems, simply replied: "Who."

According to the co-founder of Evolve - the sports management company that organised the match - neither player received any prize money for taking part.

The match itself certainly had an exhibition feel to it, with both players having a one-serve limit and Kyrgios serving underarm amid a jovial atmosphere between the two players.

Sabalenka called for a rematch after the defeat, telling reporters (via Sky Sports): "I love revenges and I don't like to leave it the way it is.

"I think for the next match we'll come up with a different format because, before the match, I didn't realise that I have to adjust as well and it was a bit tricky for me as well.

"I think that I would still keep the full court for Nick, but I would take two serves, that would even our level a bit more."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Tennis, Nick Kyrgios

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

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