Nick Kyrgios and women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka have hit back at critics of their much-hyped "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match.
Australian Kyrgios fended off the game's top female player with a 6-3 6-3 victory in front of a big crowd at Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on Sunday, the 30-year-old admitting he was given a gruelling work-out.
The clash borrowed its name from the 1973 match between 29-year-old tennis pioneer Billie Jean King and 55-year-old former grand slam winner Bobby Riggs, which King won in straight sets.
But there were pre-event rumblings that this contest risked undermining advances in the women's game if Sabalenka was beaten too easily.
King said Sunday's encounter lacked the stakes of her match, while others said the event was a publicity stunt and money grab.
Yet the big-hitting Belarusian gave as good as she got, unleashing an impressive array of groundstrokes to really test her opponent, now No.671 in the rankings.
"I honestly don't understand how people were able to find something negative in this event," Sabalenka said.
"I think for the WTA, I just showed that I was playing great tennis; it was an entertaining match ... it wasn't like 6-0 6-0. It was a great fight, it was interesting to watch and it brought more eyes on tennis.
"The idea behind it is to help our sport grow and show tennis from a different side."
Kyrgios was quick to point out the significance of Sabalenka's performance.
"Let me just remind you that I'm one of 16 people that have ever beaten the 'Big Four' - Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal have all lost to me," the Australian said.
"She just proved she can compete against someone that's beaten the greatest of all time. There's nothing but positives that can be taken away from this.''
Former Wimbledon runner-up Kyrgios' career has been beset by injuries and surgeries, meaning he has played just six ATP Tour matches in more than three years.
And it was no surprise he was blowing hard after the longer rallies on Sunday.
The best-of-three sets encounter had modified rules, including just one serve for each player and a slightly smaller court for Sabalenka.
She opened the match with a service hold before Kyrgios broke in the seventh game and secured the first set on the half-hour mark.
The Canberra star took the first game of the second set, but Sabalenka fought back to win the next two and then held again for a 3-1 lead.
But Kyrgios again drew level before pulling away and sealing a straight-sets victory punctuated with trademark underarm serves and cheeky half-volley chips.
"It was a really tough match, she is a hell of a player and such a great champion," Kyrgios said.
"I would love to play her again and showcase her talent and what I have left in the tank.''
Despite not playing in a Tour singles match since March, Kyrgios has received a wildcard entry for the January 4-11 Brisbane International, although he so far remains without an Australian Open entry.
And he looked relieved to have come through what was always going to be a tricky test.
"Of course I was nervous. Not many people would have put their hand up to be in this position ... honestly it's emotional," Kyrgios said.
In contrast, Sabalenka, 27, arrived in dominant form after winning her fourth grand slam title at the US Open and banking 59 wins this season.
The two-time Australian Open champion showed she is already looking good for another crack at the season's first grand slam in Melbourne next month.
- with Reuters
