Aryna Sabalenka, the world’s number one women’s tennis player, believes her highly publicised exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios has given her a competitive edge ahead of the 2026 season. The Belarusian star began her Brisbane International campaign with a swift 47-minute victory over Spain’s Cristina Bucsa, winning 6-0 6-1 in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.
Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, lost 6-3 6-3 to Kyrgios in Dubai last month in a modern iteration of the famous ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition. The match, which garnered global attention, saw Sabalenka testing herself against a male opponent known for his unpredictable shot-making, including frequent drop shots that forced her to cover the court extensively.
“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 benefit for me.”
The exhibition has drawn mixed reactions. Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek recently commented that the match “did not have anything to do with social change,” referencing the iconic 1973 clash between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which was widely seen as a milestone for gender equality in sports. However, Sabalenka emphasized that her match with Kyrgios was never intended as a statement on society or gender.
“It wasn’t about proving something to anyone,” she said. “It was able to show that tennis can be really huge. That exhibition, it was fun. It was a great challenge.”
The ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in Dubai thrust Sabalenka into the international spotlight beyond traditional tennis circles. The exhibition highlighted her powerful baseline game and athleticism, giving fans and commentators alike a chance to see how the top women’s players match up against male professionals, even in an unofficial context.
For Sabalenka, the real focus remains on competitive tournaments. After her victory over Bucsa, she will face Romania’s Sorana Cirstea in the third round of the Brisbane International. The tournament offers a key opportunity for the Belarusian to fine-tune her game ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on 18 January.
Sabalenka’s approach reflects a growing trend among elite players to use exhibition matches strategically, both to increase visibility and as a form of high-intensity practice. While her defeat to Kyrgios sparked debate about the purpose and messaging of gender-based exhibitions, the player herself sees tangible benefits in fitness and match preparedness.
“The match against Nick gave me a different type of intensity,” Sabalenka added. “It forced me to move differently, react faster, and think on my feet. All of that helped me today on the court.”
As the Brisbane International progresses, fans will be watching closely to see if Sabalenka can carry the momentum from both her exhibition experiences and early-round victories into a strong Australian Open performance. Her combination of power, precision, and now added match fitness positions her as one of the favorites for the first Grand Slam of the year.
Ultimately, Sabalenka sees the exhibition not as controversy, but as an opportunity to showcase the excitement of tennis to a wider audience. “It brought so many eyes on tennis,” she said. “And that’s always a positive for the sport.”
With her sights firmly set on Grand Slam glory, Sabalenka’s 2026 season is off to an explosive start, blending high-profile exhibitions with competitive determination.
