Aryna Sabalenka has fired back at Nick Kyrgios after the Australian tennis star claimed he would “easily” defeat her in an upcoming exhibition match known as a “battle of the sexes”. The event, which is slated to take place in Hong Kong ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, has generated considerable buzz following Kyrgios’ comments in an interview with fellow player Alexander Bublik.
Kyrgios expressed excitement about the match, acknowledging Sabalenka as a “character” and a formidable opponent. He jokingly dismissed the idea of her winning, saying, “She’s not going to beat me.” In response, Sabalenka embraced the challenge, stating she plans to “kick his arse” and is determined to succeed. “He said he thinks he will win, and I will definitely try my best to do just that,” she remarked.
The world No. 1 women’s player sees the matchup as an opportunity to showcase women’s tennis credibility, asserting that a victory over Kyrgios would have significant implications for the sport. Sabalenka added that the match promises to be entertaining, particularly given Kyrgios’ personality and playing style.
While the exact venue remains undecided, Sabalenka emphasised that it would be a location with substantial viewership. Reports suggest that the match might incorporate unconventional rules to enhance competitiveness, potentially limiting Kyrgios to a single serve and adjusting court dimensions.
Despite his declining ranking, Kyrgios remains confident, having not played professionally since the Miami Open in March, where he currently sits at 651. He playfully suggested that the format could favour him due to the serves women’s players struggle to return. Kyrgios optimistically predicted a scoreline of 6-2 in his favour.
As a three-time Grand Slam champion, having clinched titles at both the 2023 and 2024 Australian Opens as well as the 2024 US Open, Sabalenka is ready to prove her skills against Kyrgios, targeting glory not only for herself but for women’s tennis as a whole.
With the event’s anticipation building, it’s clear that both players are keen to put their skills to the test, generating excitement among fans eager to witness this unique contest.