Happy Tuesday! As Nick Kyrgios triumphs over Aryna Sabalenka in the Battle of the Sexes, let's take a step back and evaluate whether the exhibition was good for the sport.

In this week's newsletter:

Think you know your tennis? Take a swing at this week’s question!

Nick Kyrgios defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai's Coca-Cola Arena on December 28th in the latest "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match. Playing under modified rules with only one serve per point and Sabalenka's court 9% smaller to account for movement differences, the match drew a sold-out crowd of 17,000 fans with tickets selling for up to $800. The entertaining spectacle featured dancing, joking, and dramatic shot-making before Kyrgios sealed victory in front of a captivated audience.

Critics were quick to dismiss the exhibition as a trivializing sideshow that risked damaging women's tennis. Billie Jean King stated bluntly that unlike her 1973 match with Bobby Riggs, which “was for social change”, “this is not." Tennis purists expressed outrage at what they saw as a dispiriting contest that veered toward circus entertainment rather than serious competition. Many argued the match undermined progress toward equality, with concerns that Kyrgios was an inappropriate choice given his controversial past.

But Kyrgios hit the nail on the head when he said the exhibition was "a great stepping stone for the sport of tennis" that got more eyes watching. Tennis desperately needs drama and storylines to compete with consumer-focused sports like the NBA and NFL, which constantly generate buzz through exhibitions, storyline pushing, and player focused marketing. The sold-out arena, global media attention, and passionate fan engagement proved that spectacle matters. Whether purists like it or not, modern sports require entertainment value, and this exhibition delivered exactly what tennis needs to stay relevant.

Cristiano Ronaldo presented Novak Djokovic with the Globe Sportsman of the Year award at the 16th Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai. The soccer legend praised Djokovic as "an example in longevity" and drew parallels between their careers at the top of their respective sports. Djokovic, who won his 100th and 101st ATP titles in 2025, called receiving the honor from Ronaldo "a dream come true."

Jack Draper will miss the Australian Open as he continues recovery from bone bruising in his left arm, which he recently called the "most challenging" injury of his career. The British No. 1 has not played since withdrawing from the US Open in August and will delay his 2026 season to prioritize long-term health after struggling with the injury since the spring clay-court season.

Juan Carlos Ferrero opened up about his split with Carlos Alcaraz, citing contract disagreements as the decisive factor. The 2003 French Open champion dismissed rumors about money or academy rivalry, saying "right now, I'm hurting" while reflecting on their seven-year partnership that produced six Grand Slams and two Coach of the Year awards for Ferrero.

Fabio Fognini finished third on Italy's Dancing with the Stars just months after retiring from professional tennis at Wimbledon. The 38-year-old and partner Giada Lini earned the highest scores in multiple weeks and received standing ovations for their performances.

Danielle Collins will join Tennis Channel as a commentator while taking time off for fertility treatments. The former world No. 7, who extended her farewell tour through 2025 and won her first WTA 1000 title in Miami, plans to return to competition later in 2026 after completing medical procedures toward her goal of starting a family.

Centre Court Chatter is currently one of the world’s fastest-growing tennis brands, adding hundreds of fans a week to our incredible family of over 28,000! Our readers and followers include players, coaches, and fans alike!

If you’d like to share your product/company with fellow tennis enthusiasts, you can reserve an ad slot here.