Battle of the Sexes LIVE!
Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets to win the fourth instalment of the controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition.Played at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai, the Australian Kyrgios took on the women’s world No1 in front of a sold-out, capacity crowd of 17,500 in the Middle East, overcoming the Belarusian 6-3 6-3.
The pair followed in the footsteps of the great Margaret Court and Billie Jean King, who both faced Bobby Riggs in the first and second editions of the concept back in 1973. Kyrgios, 30, stepped onto a match court for just the sixth time this year having struggled with injury after injury, and he was made to work by a stubborn Sabalenka, with both players taking the match-up as seriously as it had been billed.
Cynics had warned that it could potentially fall into a joke of an exhibition, but the competition on display made it feel very much like both players were desperate for victory. Ultimately, Kyrgios’ ferocity off both wings, as well as touch at the net, was what won him the contest, but the Aussie, currently sat world No671 in the ATP rankings, said that he had been put through the wringer by the women’s world No1.
Battle of the Sexes latest news
- How to watch: BBC
- Battle of the Sexes rules
- Battle of the Sexes prize money
- Sabalenka vs Kyrgios stat attack
That's all, folks!
18:00 , Oli GentThanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure to come back very soon for even more LIVE tennis action!
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Sabalenka 3-6 3-6 Kyrgios
17:30 , Oli GentKyrgios serving for the match here, and he viciously fires one down the T for 15-0, with the ball swinging away from Sabalenka.
The kick serve out wide is finished with a lovely cushioned volley for 30-0, but Sabalenka just won’t be beaten, doing well to get the serve in and then forcing the squandered backhand on the stretch for 30-15.
A fierce serve into the Sabalenka body tees up two match points, and the women’s world No1 takes a deep breath.
Kyrgios does the same, firing down a wicked serve down the T, but Sabalenka flashes a backhand return winner past him!
Kyrgios takes him timeout - classic - but there’s no dancing this time around.
Onto the second match point, which he spurns! There’s some over the top grunting from both, as he lands a backhand into the net.
A one-two serve and backhand punch sets up match point No3... but Sabalenka just refuses to be beaten! She has absolutely slammed that return, and the follow-up, finishing with a sumptuous backhand volley winner!
She goes too big on the backhand side that time, however, and here’s match point four...
and this time, Kyrgios takes victory! The kick serve was all too much, and that is that!
BREAK! Sabalenka 3-6 3-5 Kyrgios
17:24 , Oli GentSabalenka crashes a forehand long, and she’s unhappy with that with the score at 15-15.
She’s a bit overzealous on that flank as she strikes wide down the line this time, and it’s 15-30. Pressure is on her serve once more.
Kyrgios does well to soak up the kick on the serve, moving his opponent round the court. She’s a bit ragged on the forehand once more, dragging the next one wide. Two break points. 15-40.
Kyrgios is just wayward with the backhand up the line to spurn the first of his break points, and Sabalenka does really well to conjure a spinning forehand into the corner that Kyrgios just cannot palm back into play.
The Aussie gets lucky with the net cord off the backhand side and earns himself another break point, which he takes, as Sabalenka shanks a forehand long.
Sabalenka 3-6 3-4 Kyrgios
17:18 , Oli GentThat is a thunderous backhand down the line from Sabalenka, who does really well to soak up Kyrgios’ pressure and power for 0-15. She nets the service return, however, and is annoyed at herself for doing so.
Kyrgios nets a routine backhand to open the door for her at 15-30, but another error off the return makes it 30-30.
Some lovely touch from Kyrgios lures Sabalenka in with the dropshot, and he just guides the volley putaway into the open court for 40-30.
Sabalenka nets the backhand return, and Kyrgios holds, and is up for the first time in this set.
BREAK! Sabalenka 3-6 3-3 Kyrgios
17:16 , Oli GentA strong start to the Sabalenka service game as Kyrgios powers his way to a 0-30 advantage.
The Belarusian responds impeccably, however, flashing a cross-court forehand winner past him, prompting the Aussie to reply, “Great shot.”
Sabalenka goes for the ace down the T, but just misses, and it gives Kyrgios two key break points here. 15-40.
She does really well to step into the court and laser a heavy forehand down the line, before finishing it off with a backhand line winner to stave off the first break point, but she can’t save the next, just missing with the angled backhand.
Sabalenka 3-6 3-2 Kyrgios
17:11 , Oli GentEvery point that Sabalenka wins is getting a real cheer from the Dubai crowd, and she’s up 0-30 here with a bit of messing around from Kyrgios getting punished, as Sabalenka flashes a forehand winner through him!
The kick serve and forehand one-two gets him back level to 30-30 - and it is now that Sabalenka calls for her one-minute timeout!
But it’s not a medical timeout or one to recover... she’s simply dancing to the Macarena.
A big serve from Kyrgios hands him a game point, but the backhand up the line from Sabalenka hauls him back to deuce.
Routine stuff from Kyrgios brings up another game point, which he finally converts with the kick serve and backhand winner up the line on the stretch. What a shot!
Sabalenka 3-6 3-1 Kyrgios
17:06 , Oli GentSabalenka is furious with herself as she misses the target with another serve, but she responds well with a wrong-footing forehand winner to level immediately.
She misses, however, with the next delivery to put herself under pressure once more at 15-30, and that’s too good from Kyrgios on the backhand side, firing low to her ankles for two break-back points.
The Aussie shanks a return long from a good kick serve by Sabalenka, and he has one more chance to level proceedings here.
He can’t take it, with a brave Sabalenka serve down the T into her opponent’s body.
Kyrgios lazily palms a sliced forehand into the net, and gives Sabalenka the game point.
She goes just long with the backhand, as Kyrgios escapes to get back to deuce.
But that is a lovely return from Kyrgios, forcing Sabalenka wide to open up the court and power the forehand into the space for another break opportunity.
But that is wiped off by Sabalenka, who lasers a backhand down the line that Kyrgios can only frame.
Another deuce, which Sabalenka wins as she flashes a forehand into the Kyrgios backhand corner, and she finally holds, as Kyrgios spins a forehand wide. The Aussie isn’t happy with the call, throwing in some pantomimery to the contest, but the call stands.
BREAK! Sabalenka 3-6 2-1 Kyrgios
16:58 , Oli GentClose! Kyrgios begins to wind up his forehand, but Sabalenka reacts well to it. She responds with a huge groundstroke of her own, which has Kyrgios scrambling and pawing one into the net from the angle. 0-15.
Another poor dropshot from the Aussie gives the Belarusian a real chance at 0-30, and he tries to throw in an underarm serve that Sabalenka wasn’t ready for.
Too much pace and power off the big one-two makes it 15-30, but a little too casual an approach on the serve and volley gives Sabalenka two break points.
She converts the first, and is up in this second set!
Sabalenka 3-6 1-1 Kyrgios
16:55 , Oli GentLovely feel at the net from Sabalenka as the pair exchange volleys at the front of the court, and she wins out to go up 15-0. Sabalenka hits a lovely winner for 30-0, and Kyrgios nets a forehand return for 40-0. Could this be Sabalenka’s easiest hold so far?
It turns out yes, as Kyrgios slips trying to accelerate and reach the dropshot!
Sabalenka 3-6 0-1 Kyrgios
16:52 , Oli GentAn overcooked Sabalenka forehand has normal services resumed at the start of the second on the Kyrgios serve.
The Aussie, drenched in sweat, is looking fatigued but seems as though he has another couple of gears. A body serve is parried long by Sabalenka for 30-0, but the women’s world No1 is alive to the underarm serve, quick off the mark to put it away. 30-15.
Kyrgios fluffs up the backhand dropshot to let his opponent back in at 30-30, and he spins a T serve which she does really well to get back in play. Another dropshot has Sabalenka scrambling, and a lax forehand putaway is reached by Sabalenka, but it clips the net.
What follows is something stupendous, however, with Kyrgios spinning a serve so far out wide that Sabalenka is on her bike, but she somehow scoops a forehand sliced winner onto the line for deuce.
The movement, however, on the Kyrgios serve is too much this time, and he flicks two volleys into the open court to snare first blood.
SET! Sabalenka 3-6 Kyrgios
16:46 , Oli GentNo nonsense from Kyrgios, ripping a backhand return and following up with a forehand putaway on top of the net. 0-15.
Sabalenka is getting a bit ragged with her shots at the moment, overcooking a backhand down the line. 0-30.
She then overhits a forehand, giving Kyrgios three set points. 0-40.
The world No1 gets her wide serve on the ad side right, as Kyrgios spoons a backhand wide of the mark. 15-40.
And that is brilliant from Sabalenka, saving the second with a forehand line winner on the run, leaving Kyrgios shell-shocked! 30-40.
But the forehand slice has Sabalenka faltering at the net, and Kyrgios takes the first set!
Sabalenka 3-5 Kyrgios
16:43 , Oli GentKyrgios races into a 30-0 lead with two spinning forehand winners, and Sabalenka crashes a forehand return into the net for 40-0. Could this be the easiest hold of the match so far?
There’s the underarm serve... can Sabalenka get there... no! Kyrgios holds.
BREAK! Sabalenka 3-4 Kyrgios
16:40 , Oli GentSabalenka is really going for her serves, but the lack of a second chance is costing her dear. A fault has her 0-15 down.
But the second is better, lasering one wide, and with the low return from Kyrgios, she punishes it with a vicious cross-court forehand that the Aussie can only palm into the net.
That’s too good to go up 30-15, beating down a T serve, patted back by Kyrgios, teeing up the whipped forehand winner.
And the net cord hands her two game points! Kyrgios puts a bit more oomph on his shots, but the mishit goes the world No1’s way. No apology, in full exhibition spirit.
She spurns her first game point, lashing into the net... and the second goes awry, as she falls out of her toss!
Advantage, Kyrgios, as the man gets the better of his opponent in the baseline exchange, throwing in some nice variation off both wings.
Sabalenka really guns for her groundstrokes, but powers a forehand into the net and gives Kyrgios the break once more!
BREAK! Sabalenka 3-3 Kyrgios
16:34 , Oli GentTwo huge forehand returns from Sabalenka, as she is looking to be reading the Kyrgios serve now. 0-30 up, and that’s now 0-40, with Kyrgios not executing the dropshot well at all! Three break-back points.
There’s one saved, however, as Kyrgios kicks the serve wide, steps in, and lashes a forehand winner for 15-40.
A second comes and goes as Sabalenka just spurns the return on the stretch, but she takes the third! A bit of fortune with the net cord, and Kyrgios nonchalantly taps it back into play, and Sabalenka finishes it ruthlessly!
BREAK! Sabalenka 2-3 Kyrgios
16:30 , Oli GentBack on serve, and Sabalenka is up immediately as her spinning body serve has Kyrgios shank a backhand wide. He responds with a strong forehand return, and Sabalenka loses her footing as she misses on the backhand wing.
The best rally of the match follows, with Kyrgios using a lot of wrist rotation to move Sabalenka around, and he powers an inside-out forehand winner for 15-30. Chance here.
Sabalenka is in control of the next exchange, pushing Kyrgios wider and wider, but she nets the crucial backhand down the line to hand the Aussie two break points.
That’s really good from Sabalenka though, slicing the backhand deep and wide into the Kyrgios forehand, and the Aussie can’t spin one inside the smaller court. One saved.
But the second is taken! A forehand return has Sabalenka scrambling, and she shanks one just long.
BREAK! Sabalenka 2-2 Kyrgios
16:26 , Oli GentA fault from Kyrgios gives Sabalenka an opening, and she gets down well to the following dropshot, but the Belarusian nets the volley as Kyrgios attempts a pass.
However, he nets a backhand pass under pressure from the Sabalenka approach with the score at 15-30, but the women’s world No1 can’t take advantage, slicing a backhand into the net after pulling Kyrgios around the court.
The Aussie clips the net cord to tee up a first break point for Sabalenka, and the kick serve and volley from Kyrgios saves it! Deuce.
Another chance, however, for Sabalenka, as Kyrgios goes for the dropshot to follow the T serve, but he nets it... and he gets broken back, with Sabalenka responding with a dropshot of her own that Kyrgios can only spoon into the net!
BREAK! Sabalenka 1-2 Kyrgios
16:21 , Oli GentKyrgios is trying to control his power with the smaller court to aim at, and that is evident with the exchanges. He approaches with a good backhand, and Sabalenka nets on the run. Another serve long has it at 0-30, and she’s under pressure for the first time as Kyrgios earns three break points with a topspin forehand winner down the line. Sabalenka’s serve lands long, and the Aussie breaks to love!
Sabalenka 1-1 Kyrgios
16:19 , Oli GentA wide serve on both ad and deuce sides has Sabalenka net her first return and tee up a forehand winner for 30-0.
The women’s world No1 punishes a lax Kyrgios shot in the middle of the box, however, with a forehand line winner.
She just misses with a backhand down the line, but finds herself back on level terms as a one-two punch from the Australian gives him the hold.
Sabalenka 1-0 Kyrgios
16:17 , Oli GentThe court will take some getting used to; the optics of it.
The pair immediately engage in a baseline exchange which Kyrgios wins as Sabalenka nets a backhand, but she wins her first point as Kyrgios frames a forehand for 15-15.
The Belarusian then hits the first winner of the encounter with a backhand down the line, but undoes her good work with a service fault that loses her the next point with no second serves.
She does really well, however, to crack a cross-court backhand winner right into the corner for game point.
She strikes first, as Kyrgios nets a forehand!
Here we go!
16:13 , Oli GentThe warm-up is done, and the two players are ready to go!
Today's rules
16:09 , Oli GentHere are the full set of rules once more for those that missed them:
- Each player has one serve as opposed to the usual serve.
- Sabalenka’s half of the court is 9% smaller than Kyrgios’.
- Best of three sets.
- 10-point championship tiebreak if a deciding set is needed.
- Each player can have one one-minute timeout per set.
Out comes Sabalenka!
16:06 , Oli GentThe women’s world No1 is in a sparkling outfit in a ringwalk-esque entrance, as ‘Eye of the Tiger’ blares.
Here they come!
16:05 , Oli GentKyrgios walks out onto court, and looks relaxed, clasping just one racquet.
Today's venue
16:04 , Oli GentThe Coca Cola Arena in Dubai plays host to this match.
It houses 17,000 people, and is thought to be sold out today.
'Pressure is all on him'
15:53 , Oli Gent“The pressure is all on him, and he said it himself,” Croft says of Kyrgios heading into this match.
'Could never be compared'
15:51 , Oli Gent“This could never be compared and put into the same context as Billie Jean King vs Bobby Riggs,” says Annabel Croft in the BBC studio.
90 million people watched King beat Riggs back in September 1973. How many will tune in this time?
15 minutes...
15:49 , Oli GentThe players are set to take to the court in just under a quarter-hour...
Almost ready!
15:39 , Oli GentWho will win this match?
Ten minute warning!
15:35 , Oli GentHere’s how to watch this one...
TV channel: The match will be broadcast live on BBC One, meaning that UK viewers can watch for free.
Live stream: The match will also be streamed live on BBC iPlayer for those with a TV licence.
When will Kyrgios next play competitively?
15:30 , Oli GentKyrgios has only played competitively five times this year, and today will be just the sixth time he has stepped onto the match court in 2025.
Next year, however, he is targeting a comeback, with his ATP return coming at the Brisbane International in January ahead of the Australian Open.
The Aussie has been handed a wildcard for the tournament.
He will also need a wildcard for 2026’s first Grand Slam, as he does not have a protected ranking to use.
Sabalenka vs Kyrgios tale of the tape
15:25 , Oli GentAryna Sabalenka
Age: 27
Nationality: Belarus
Height: 5’11”
Turned pro: 2015
Highest career ranking: World No1 (current)
Career prize money: $45,175,621
Nick Kyrgios
Age: 30
Nationality: Australia
Height: 6’4″
Turned pro: 2013
Highest career ranking: World No13 (October 2016)
Career prize money: $12,802,482
Kyrgios reveals adapted training for smaller court
15:20 , Oli GentAs already mentioned, Kyrgios will be aiming at a smaller court to ensure maximum fairness.
Sabalenka’s service boxes will be a foot smaller in width and 1.9 feet shorter in length. Her half of the court will be 4.5 ft shorter, and her baseline will be 3.4 ft smaller.
“My coach/best friend and I have made some adjustments at home,” Kyrgios said.
“We have tried to adapt to the court conditions. It will be interesting. I can’t wait to see the court and its dimensions.
“I know she is trying to make me nervous, and she is, but so am I.
“The fact that the court is more equal is a great initiative, but the one-serve rule benefits me. Serving is my strong point.”
Kyrgios admits nerves
15:15 , Oli GentNick Kyrgios admitted in the pre-match press conference yesterday that he was feeling the pressure slightly.
“Both of us have played in grand stadiums all over the world,” Kyrgios said.
“She is a Grand Slam champion, I have played incredible matches, but I would be lying if I said I’m not a bit nervous.
“I can’t wait to step on the court. I know the whole world will be watching us. Aryna has tried to distract me with the nightlife here, but I remain focused.
“Having the chance to face a great champion like Aryna is a challenge, it’s something different, but at the same time, sports and entertainment are the same.
“If you look at all the buzz this event has created… It all started with a ‘What if…?’
'Win win' for Sabalenka
15:10 , Oli GentThe Belarusian believes that all the pressure is on Kyrgios, while she is in a “win win” position.
"It's not going to be an easy match for Nick," Sabalenka said.
"I'm going to be there competing and showing women are strong, powerful and good entertainment.
"He's in a lose-lose situation. I'm in a win-win situation."
Sabalenak defends exhibition - 'Won't damage women's sport'
15:05 , Oli GentSabalenka has staunchly defended her decision to take part in the match, insisting that whatever the result, it will not harm women’s sport and its upward trajectory.
"I don't agree [that it will damage women’s sport],” Sabalenka told the BBC.
"I am not putting myself at any risk. We're there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.
“It's so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it's not about that.
"This event is only going to help bring women's tennis to a higher level."
'Ours was about social change. This? No.' - Billie Jean King
15:00 , Oli GentBillie Jean King has also criticised this match, with the American legend telling the BBC: "The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. That's it.
"Everything else, no. Ours was about social change; culturally, where we were in 1973. Mine was really political.
"I knew I had to beat him for societal change. I had a lot of reasons to win."
What does Raducanu think?
14:45 , Oli GentThis event has been draped in controversy even since it was announced.
British women’s No1 Emma Raducanu voiced her concern, questioning whether both players would take it seriously.
“I want to see if they both go flat out,” Raducanu said. “But it will be interesting.
“I don’t think I’ll watch it all live, but I think I’ll watch some highlights or a recap of it.”
Kyrgios' titles
14:40 , Oli GentCurrent men’s world No671 Kyrgios has won one major tournament in his career, but that came in the 2022 Australian Open men’s doubles alongside his close friend and compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The only Grand Slam singles final he reached was in that same year, losing to Djokovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 7-6.
Kyrgios has won 11 titles on the ATP tour.
Sabalenka's titles
14:30 , Oli GentThe women’s world No1 is a four-time Grand Slam champion, lifting the Australian and US Open trophies twice each.
She has claimed two major doubles crowns in Melbourne and New York as well - at Flushing Meadows in 2019 and at Melbourne Park in 2021.
In her career, she has won 27 titles.
Nick Kyrgios: Stat attack
14:20 , Oli GentAs for Kyrgios, the maverick Australian, 30, has played just five times this year, having been troubled by injury.
Of those five matches, he has won just once, against Mackenzie Macdonald in the first round of the Miami Open back in March.
His career highlight is reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final, where he was defeated in four sets by Novak Djokovic.
This year, Kyrgios has won just 9% of his service return games, but he is far more dominant with ball in hand, such are the limitations placed on him today.
His first serve percentage this year sits at 71%, and he has won 84% of his service games.
Aryna Sabalenka: Stat attack
14:10 , Oli GentHow do these two players stack up against each other?
Firstly, Sabalenka. The Belarusian, 27, is a four-time major winner and is the current defending champion of the US Open.
All four of her Grand Slam titles have come on hard courts, and she was a beaten finalist at Roland-Garros earlier this year.
The women’s world No1 has played 71 matches in 2025, winning 59, and she has won 40% of games when returning serve.
Battle of the Sexes prize money
14:00 , Oli GentNo figures have been revealed yet in relation to a prize pot.
It has also not been disclosed what either player is being paid to take part in this event.
In the previous exhibitions, all were winner takes all matches with the payout known prior to the match.
Billie Jean King won $100,000 for her victory over Bobby Riggs in 1973.
Battle of the Sexes rules
13:50 , Oli GentWhat sort of limitations have been put in place to ensure maximum fairness this afternoon?
Well, Sabalenka’s side of the court will be smaller, giving Kyrgios less room for error.
There will also just be one serve each, with the aim of limiting the Australian’s power off his delivery.
How to watch
13:40 , Oli GentTV channel: The match will be broadcast live on BBC One, meaning that UK viewers can watch for free.
Live stream: The match will also be streamed live on BBC iPlayer for those with a TV licence.
Hello and welcome!
13:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of the Battle of the Sexes tennis match.
This is another historic occasion for the sport, with the fourth instalment of the concept taking place today at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios.
This should be a thrilling encounter, so stay tuned for all the updates, with the start time scheduled for 3.45pm GMT.
