Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 63 63 at Coca Cola Arena in Dubai. Match point was a kick serve to Sabalenka to the ad court which she mishandled and shot ten feet wide.
Sania Mirza, as TV analyst, called it “an amazing match this has been. Not just in terms of tennis but as an experience for the crowd, entertainment. What an entertaining match this has been.”
There was far more buzz and curiosity about this unique clash amongst my tennis groups than Laver Cup and Davis Cup combined.
Kyrgios seemed to be fatigued and strategically used junk ball tactics to smartly offset the one dimensional baseline power game of the WTA no. 1. Who said Nick is not a smart tennis player?
“I think my chances are really high. I’m very confident in my ability.” Kyrgios said before the showdown which appeared to be a sellout. Nick added that he enjoys doing “things that are outside the box” and admitted to feeling excitement and nervousness before the duel.
“I think she’s the type of player who genuinely thinks she’s going to win… She is not gonna beat me,” Kyrgios asserted.
After the match Nick addressed the media’s negative attitude of the match: “Media love to spread negativity for some dumb reason…the hate of me wanting to go out there and challenge myself and play such a great player like Aryna. I love events like this, mixed events, I play all the mixed doubles events. The media needs to do a better job and stop this brainwashing of this division…..the media have the power, the utmost control of what you feed people and so I think you guys need to do a better job of that.”
“I’m proud to represent women’s tennis and to be part of this modern take on the iconic Battle of the Sexes match (Houston 1973 Riggs vs King),” Sabalenka said. “I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I’m ready to bring my A-game.”
After the event Sabalenka also questioned the tennis media negativity: “I just don’t understand how some people were able to find something negative in this event?…We want to show that tennis is a fun and entertaining sport.”
Kyrgios has been busy doing exhibitions for the last month, in the United States, Neckar Island and India. He looked in good form and decent fitness however if he intends to succeed in this latest comeback from a ranking outside ATP 600, a much higher level of performance and consistency will be needed. But the former Wimbledon runner up and Australian Open doubles champ has to start somewhere and the exhibition path is a wise stepping-stone.
Hopefully this will become an annual event and next up will be Agassi vs Gauff and then McEnroe vs Emma.
Aryna Sabalenka · Coca Cola · Dubai · Nick Kyrgios
