Battle of the Sexes 'brought eyes on tennis'

Aryna Sabalenka defended her exhibition "Battle of the Sexes" match against Nick Kyrgios, stating it increased tennis viewership despite criticism. Sabalenka believes the match improved her fitness, which she demonstrated in a dominant victory over Cristina Bucsa at the Brisbane International. In other tennis news, Katie Boulter defeated Yuliia Starodubtseva at the ASB Classic in Auckland, marking her first match with new coach Michael Joyce. Boulter, who missed direct entry into the Australian Open, will face Elina Svitolina in the next round. Also at the ASB Classic, Sonay Kartal advanced to the second round after defeating Janice Tjen. The Australian Open is scheduled to begin on January 18th.

Aryna Sabalenka credits a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios for improving her fitness ahead of the Grand Slam season. The world number one believes the match helped her increase the intensity of her game. Sabalenka demonstrated her improved form by defeating Cristina Bucsa at the Brisbane International in Australia on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. She won the match in just 48 minutes, showcasing the power she gained from the exhibition. Sabalenka believes the match against Kyrgios, held in Dubai on December 28, was a valuable challenge that also brought attention to tennis. She is now preparing for the Australian Open, where she aims to win her third title in four years.