The tennis world is set for a spectacle this Sunday as women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka takes on the charismatic but lower-ranked Nick Kyrgios in a much-hyped 'Battle of the Sexes' exhibition in Dubai. However, the legendary Billie Jean King, whose iconic 1973 match against Bobby Riggs inspired the event's name, has made it clear that the two contests are worlds apart.
A Modern Spectacle vs. A Historic Struggle
Promoted as a sequel to the 1973 classic, the match between the four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka and Kyrgios, currently ranked 671, has sparked debate among fans and pundits. The original 'Battle of the Sexes' was a landmark moment for gender equality in sports and society. King, now 82, defeated the self-proclaimed 'male chauvinist pig' Bobby Riggs in straight sets before a global television audience of an estimated 90 million.
"It's not the same thing," King told the BBC, drawing a sharp distinction. "Ours was about social change... This one is not. Mine was really political." She emphasized that her victory was a crucial fight for recognition, better prize money, and equal rights for women in tennis and beyond, a struggle that defined the early 1970s feminist movement.
Key Differences: Rules, Stakes, and Context
The upcoming exhibition differs fundamentally from its historic namesake in several ways. The agency behind the event, Evolve, has altered the rules significantly. Sabalenka's side of the court will be reduced in length and width by nine percent, a change reportedly based on calculations of women's movement speed. Both players will be allowed only one serve, and the match will be a best-of-three sets format with a 10-point tie-break for a decider, unlike the best-of-five sets in 1973.
More importantly, the political and cultural context is entirely different. While King played for a cause far greater than tennis, neither Sabalenka nor Kyrgios has framed this match as anything more than an exhibition. Sabalenka has publicly stated her preference to keep sports separate from politics, a stark contrast to King's lifelong activism.
The venue itself, the United Arab Emirates, has also drawn scrutiny. Critics point to the nation's human rights record and suggest the event could be seen as a form of 'sportswashing,' using high-profile sports to divert attention from other issues.
A Potential Lose-Lose for Women's Tennis?
Many in the tennis community question what women's sport stands to gain from this spectacle. Former doubles champion Rennae Stubbs, cited by AFP, questioned the motive, asking, "What is in this for women's tennis?"
The match presents a tricky scenario. If Sabalenka wins, critics may argue the altered rules tipped the scales in her favour. If Kyrgios—a man ranked outside the top 600 who has played sparingly in recent years—wins, it could fuel outdated arguments about the comparative level of the women's game, despite the exhibition's contrived format.
Kyrgios has brushed off criticism, saying it only fuels interest. Sabalenka's response has been equally direct: "Sit back and enjoy the show... No one cares what you have to say."
Despite her reservations about the comparison, Billie Jean King wishes the players well. "I hope it's a great match," she said. "I want Sabalenka, obviously, to win — but it's just not the same." The match will be played for entertainment and commercial appeal, a far cry from the high-stakes societal battle that defined September 20, 1973, in the Houston Astrodome.
