Sabalenka Saddened by 'Battle of Sexes' Criticism: 'People Got It Wrong'

• Aryna Sabalenka defends her 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Nick Kyrgios, despite widespread criticism.
• The WTA world number one lost to Kyrgios in Dubai on December 28, sparking polarized opinions in the tennis world.
• Critics questioned the match's motive and giving a platform to Kyrgios, drawing comparisons to the 1973 Billie Jean King vs. Bobby Riggs clash.
• Sabalenka stated the event was 'fun' and aimed to bring significant attention to tennis, not to prove anything.
• She began her 2026 season strongly at the Brisbane International, while Kyrgios lost his first singles match since March.

Why It Matters: Sabalenka defends her controversial 'Battle of Sexes' match, emphasizing its aim to promote tennis.