"It's ridiculous...not going to watch" - Aryna Sabalenka & Nick Kyrgios' controversial 'Battle of the Sexes' prompts ex-tennis pro to react in fury

Former player Steve Johnson expressed his discontent over the upcoming 'Battle of the Sexes' match between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, scheduled to take place in Dubai on December 28, 2025.

Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios, both represented by Evolve, will face each other in an exhibition event, making a comeback almost 50 years after Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs made it famous, a landmark moment for gender equality in sports. However, Sabalenka, the World No. 1, and Kyrgios, ranked No. 650, have come under fire, with many arguing that the match is merely a publicity stunt and that a potential loss for Sabalenka could be used to belittle women athletes.

Recently, in the Nothing Major podcast, ex-player and host Steve Johnson made his feelings known about the same, calling the 'Battle of the Sexes' ridiculous, and wondering if Kyrgios would be serious or just be fooling around.

"I think it's ridiculous, to be honest. If they're going to play, just play all out. If not, I'm just saying, like I think this whole thing is ridiculous. There's no need to do it. Just, you know, have it's just we're going to get nowhere with this. If you're especially going to change serves, parameters, courts, the effort from Nick is always going to be a question mark, and that's it. I don't know. Like, I'm not going to watch a second of it, to be honest." he said. (2:18)

While Aryna Sabalenka defended her US Open title and held her top rank this year, Nick Kyrgios was sidelined with a wrist injury for 18 months before resuming at the 2025 Brisbane International and has only played five matches this year.

Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios' controversial match received criticisms from ex-player Rennae Stubbs

Sabalenka at the WTA Finals 2025 - Day 8 - Source: Getty

While Aryna Sabalenka ended her season with a runner-up finish at the 2025 WTA Finals and remains the World No. 1, Nick Kyrgios continues to be a prominent figure in tennis. However, their reputations as players have been on the brink of jeopardy, with many believing the event to be a PR stunt by Evolve and others criticizing it for similar reasons.

Rennae Stubbs, Serena Williams' former coach and television commentator, shared that the 'Battle of the Sexes' was relevant a century ago when there was a need for a fight for women's rights. Whereas, Sabalenka and Kyrgios' event would be solely for entertainment.

"The 150 years ago was important, when it was women trying to fight for equality and women's rights in the United States. That's when it was important. When we had 50,000 or 80,000 plus people in the Metrodome in Houston watching it, and the whole country watching it. No one gives a f**k about what's happening with Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios. I mean, the only reason they're putting this on is because it is literally their company, Evolve, who's their management company, is going, we're going to make a bit of money here. This will be good. Get it on TV. Sell a few tickets. But what is in this for women's tennis?" she said in her eponymous podcast.

Sabalenka and Kyrgios' match also brought Naomi Osaka under fire as she founded Evolve, the sports management company that sponsors the Belarusian and the Aussie.