In brief
Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning women's world number one, defended her participation in a controversial exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, claiming it increased visibility for tennis. Following a decisive win against Cristina Bucsa in Brisbane, she highlighted the unique fitness challenge posed by competing against a male player. Despite criticisms from some peers including tournament champion Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka asserts the match was a success in promoting the sport.
Aryna Sabalenka defended her 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Nick Kyrgios after she opened her 2026 season with a 47-minute victory against Cristina Bucsa.
Women's world number one Sabalenka lost 6-3 6-3 to Kyrgios in a much-publicised exhibition match in Dubai last month.
Belarusian Sabalenka, a four-time major winner, said it helped her fitness after she swept aside Spain's Bucsa, ranked 28th in the world, 6-0 6-1 in the second round of the Brisbane International.
When you play against a guy, the intensity is completely different, Sabalenka said.
Especially when there is Nick, who is drop-shotting every other shot, you move a lot, so there was a great fitness for me.
The match was widely criticised, with Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek saying this week that it did not have anything to do with social change, following the original 'Battle of the Sexes' between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.
But Sabalenka said the match brought so many eyes on tennis.
It wasn't about proving something to anyone. It was able to show that tennis can be really huge, she said.
That exhibition, it was fun. It was a great challenge.
Sabalenka, who received a first-round bye in Brisbane, will face Romania's Sorana Cirstea in round three.
The Australian Open starts on 18 January.
