“It’s ridiculous… not going to watch” – Aryna Sabalenka & Nick Kyrgios’ controversial ‘Battle of the Sexes’ prompts ex-tennis pro to react in fury

The tennis world has exploded into debate after the announcement of a modern-day “Battle of the Sexes” featuring Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. The exhibition match, intended to recreate the historic 1973 showdown between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, has instead become a lightning rod for controversy — and former tennis star Rennae Stubbs is leading the criticism.

Stubbs didn’t mince words in her podcast, blasting the event as “pointless” and “embarrassing.” She argued that the match does nothing to advance tennis or gender equality, calling it a “marketing gimmick” designed only to generate profit for Kyrgios and Sabalenka’s management company, Evolve.

“I think it’s ridiculous, to be honest,” Stubbs fumed. “If they’re going to play, just play all out. But this watered-down, rule-changing nonsense? I’m not watching a second of it.” Her statement instantly went viral, sparking heated arguments among fans.

Critics of the event share Stubbs’ view that the match feels more like a publicity stunt than a genuine athletic contest. Many pointed out that adjusting serves, altering court dimensions, and softening competitive rules undermines the spirit of tennis entirely. “It’s theater, not sport,” one fan wrote online.

Supporters of the event, however, argue that Sabalenka and Kyrgios are simply reviving a classic idea for entertainment value, not politics. The duo themselves have promoted the match as a “fun showcase” — but Stubbs isn’t buying it. She believes the “Battle of the Sexes” concept had meaning only in its original context, when it symbolized women’s fight for equality.

“The one 150 years ago mattered,” she said, referencing the Billie Jean King match that drew a record audience in Houston. “That was history. This? No one cares. It’s just about making a few dollars and selling some tickets.”

Sabalenka, who recently made headlines for breaking Serena Williams’ single-season prize record, hasn’t publicly responded to Stubbs’ remarks. Kyrgios, meanwhile, seemed to shrug off the criticism with a cryptic tweet: “People talk too much.”

Insiders say the tension between Kyrgios’ unpredictability and Sabalenka’s competitiveness could make the match volatile. Some within the WTA privately question whether Sabalenka’s involvement could damage her image as the sport’s leading figure.

For now, tennis fans remain divided. Is this an innovative crossover or a disrespectful stunt? The match hasn’t even taken place, but it’s already one of the most talked-about controversies of the year.

And if Stubbs’ fiery comments are any indication, the “Battle of the Sexes” might be remembered less for who wins — and more for how it divided the tennis world before a single serve was hit.