Billie Jean King criticizes Sabalenka-Kyrgios ‘Battle of the Sexes’ while stars remain defiant

Tennis stars Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios are preparing for one of the most talked-about exhibitions of the year — the Dubai “Battle of the Sexes” on December 28.

While the event has generated excitement, it has also drawn criticism from tennis legend Billie Jean King, whose iconic 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs originally defined the concept.

King clarified that the upcoming exhibition should not be compared to her historic match. “The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. Everything else is different. Ours was about social change in 1973. This one is not,” she told BBC Sport. Despite her comments, she added that she hopes it will be a great match and supports Sabalenka.

Kyrgios and Sabalenka, however, defend the event as a fun exhibition aimed at engaging fans rather than making a political statement. Kyrgios praised Sabalenka as a future star, highlighting their friendship, while Sabalenka said she wants the match to be enjoyable and to showcase that “women are powerful.”

The exhibition will feature adapted rules: single-serve points, a smaller court on Sabalenka’s side based on movement data, and a deciding 10-point tie-break if necessary. Supporters see it as harmless entertainment, while critics caution that an upset could spur unfair comparisons between men’s and women’s tennis.

King’s critique stems from the historical significance of her 1973 match, which coincided with the founding of the WTA, Title IX, and a broader push for gender equality in sports. For Kyrgios and Sabalenka, the goal is simpler: to have fun and deliver great tennis.