\n<\/p>\n
Sabalenka and Kyrgios’ attempts to justify the event came in the face of severe criticism, particularly from the tennis fraternity.<\/p>\n
Despite the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ moniker, it had little in common with Billie Jean King’s seminal match against self-confessed chauvinist Bobby Riggs in 1973 – a time when women were denied equality in tennis and wider society.<\/p>\n
Times have changed. Tennis has greater gender equality than any other major sport.<\/p>\n
So this felt more akin to YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul’s heavyweight bout against former world champion Anthony Joshua – an event designed to attract casual fans and blur the lines between serious sporting endeavor and frivolous entertainment.<\/p>\n
Both players had hyped up the Dubai contest like a pair of boxers flogging a fight.<\/p>\n
Sabalenka promised to “kick Nick’s ass” as she promoted the event on US chat shows, while Kyrgios insisted the razzmatazz of the occasion would bring new eyes to the sport.<\/p>\n
Both players will, undoubtedly, profit handsomely – even though they have refused to say how much they will earn.<\/p>\n
“It will be really interesting now if we see more matches like this,” said BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller.<\/p>\n
“There are lots of different types of tennis events around the world, and exhibitions are in demand, particularly in cities that don’t host the major tournaments.”<\/p>\n
However, it felt like the fun factor fell short of what might have been expected.<\/p>\n
There was often a flat atmosphere in the Coca-Cola Arena, which has a 17,000 capacity but was reduced to a smaller sell-out crowd with the upper tier closed off.<\/p>\n
Once the match started, any volume from the fans was weighted in favour of Sabalenka. As the scoreline moved into Kyrgios’s direction, the dial was turned down.<\/p>\n
Kyrgios promised a string of celebrity names would add glamour, although the only superstars of note seemed to be Brazil footballing legends Ronaldo and Kaka, who entered midway through the first set to great fanfare.<\/p>\n
As Kyrgios closed in on victory, the cameras picked out a young child snoozing in their mother’s arms. <\/p>\n
That could prove to be the defining image of an event which continues to polarise opinion. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n