The exhibition sparked debate across the tennis world, with both players addressing criticism during the post-match press conference. Kyrgios defended the event, arguing it had generated significant interest in the sport.
«It’s been one of the most talked-about sporting events of the last six months,» he said.
Sabalenka echoed that view, insisting the match was ultimately positive for tennis.
«We just brought more attention to our sport and I don’t see how it can be bad,» the Belarusian added.
However, tennis icon Billie Jean King, who famously beat Bobby Riggs in the landmark 1973 ‘Battle of the Sexes’, distanced herself from the Dubai exhibition. King said the two events were «not the same», stressing that her match was driven by political motives and aimed at creating lasting societal change.
