People Furious As Nick Kyrgios Demolishes Aryna Sabalenka In ‘Battle Of The Sexes’
I don’t think anyone had any real expectations coming into the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ last night – in which Nick Kyrgios, the bad boy of men’s tennis, took on the current women’s world number 1 in Aryna Sabalenka.
Despite being completely out of shape, probably a little buzzed, and ranked 671st in the world after being injured for two years, Kyrgios made relatively light work of Sabalenka, beating her 6-3 6-3 in straight sets.
This was all despite modified rules where each player was restricted to one serve rather than two, and Sabalenka’s side of the court being reduced by 9% in size to compensate for the difference in speed between men and women’s tennis:
Tennis purists and the media have been crying about this match ever since it was announced, saying it’s devaluing the sports, demeaning women and all the rest of it. I don’t really think it was that serious though? After all it was an exhibition match in Dubai, and they were laughing and cracking jokes throughout.
Even after Kyrgios emerged victorious, people were still going on social media and crying that this match was even allowed to take place:
One person on X wrote: “If anyone watched the match they saw that he wasn’t even trying. Small court, about 20 percent effort, and still won with that score.”
Another said: “I am sincerely surprised to see such an event held in the current cultural climate, unless the point was to illustrate how silly it is to pretend that men should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.”
Another wrote: “A 671 ranked men’s tennis player defeating 1 ranked women’s player, on an unequal court size. Don’t tell us this is such a great advertisement for women’s tennis.”
Sabalenka clearly didn’t have an issue with it though, saying after the match: “I felt great. I think I put up a great fight and he was struggling, he got really tired.
“I think it was a great level, I made a lot of great shots, moved a lot to the net, drop shots. Really enjoyed the show.
“I felt like next time when I play him, I already know the tactics, I know his strengths and weaknesses, and it’s going to be a better match for sure.”
Well, I don’t know about that, because next time they play Kyrgios may actually be competitive again following his two-year layoff. Which you would assume meant he would play even better against her. But hey, loving the confidence from the women’s world #1.
For the time Emma Radacanu was ‘confronted’ by her stalker in the middle of a game, click HERE.
