Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, has expressed strong interest in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, aiming for a high-profile event with meaningful public attention. The Belarusian world number two believes a contest against the Australian would generate substantial pressure for Kyrgios and be a compelling spectacle for fans.
Sabalenka, seeking her fourth Grand Slam singles title after victories at the Australian Open in both 2023 and 2024, sees a potential match as a unique prospect. Kyrgios, formerly ranked as high as 13th in 2016, has been limited to just five matches this year following an 18-month absence due to a serious wrist injury, and hasn’t competed on the ATP Tour since a second-round loss at the Miami Open in March. Sabalenka stated, “It’s going to be a good thing if I’m able to [beat] him, but we are not sure about the place.If we’re going to bring it, we’re going to bring it to somewhere where it’s going to be a lot of people watching and we’re gonna put a lot of pressure on Nick.”
The concept of “Battle of the Sexes” matches has a notable history in tennis, with three officially recognized contests held previously. In 1973, Bobby riggs defeated Margaret Court, followed by Billie Jean King’s victory over Riggs four months later. A further match took place in 1992, where Jimmy Connors, aged 40, overcame Martina Navratilova, 35, under modified rules. The potential Sabalenka-Kyrgios match would add a new chapter to this storied rivalry, capitalizing on the current profiles of both players and the enduring public fascination with intergender competition.
