Sign In
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: Nick Kyrgios says he is feeling the pressure ahead of his highly talked-about "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. The clash is scheduled for December 28 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and will see the 2022 Wimbledon finalist take on the reigning Australian Open champion in what's already being dubbed one of the most intriguing exhibitions in recent years.
Kyrgios has spent most of the past three seasons sidelined by knee and wrist injuries and told Australian Associated Press that the buildup to the event has been intense. “I was in Hong Kong recently and a lot of the male players were like, ‘Look, you’re representing all of us.’ So here I am in the firing line again,” he said with a laugh. “I’m not a stranger to pressure or media heat, but I’m excited. Whatever happens, I’ll go out there and show that as good as she is, she’s got some weaknesses.”
The match has sparked plenty of debate within the tennis community. While some fans are excited to see two of the sport's biggest personalities share the court, others believe reviving the "Battle of the Sexes" name takes away from what the original 1973 event between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs meant for women's sport.
The first "Battle of the Sexes" was a landmark moment. In 1973, Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in front of 30,000 spectators in Houston, silencing critics who claimed women couldn't match men's level of play. The win became a defining moment for gender equality in sport.
Fifty years later, Kyrgios and Sabalenka’s version aims to recreate that spectacle though not everyone is convinced it carries the same spirit. Critics argue the Dubai match feels more like a promotional event than a statement on equality. Still, both players have defended their participation, saying it’s a fun opportunity to showcase men’s and women’s tennis on the same stage.
Kyrgios confirmed that he will play on a slightly smaller court, around ten per cent narrower than Sabalenka's side giving him less space to work with. “It’ll make things interesting,” he said. “But I’m confident. I’ve beaten the Big Four - Novak, Rafa, Roger, Andy - so I know what it takes to perform under pressure.”
Meanwhile, Sabalenka will enter the match as the top-ranked women's player and the heavu crowd favourite. Kyrgios said he respects her achievements but knows how dangerous she can be. “You’ve got someone who could end up as one of the greatest of all time. She’s still got so much ahead of her,” he said. “She’s been talking about this match more than I have, but I’m ready. It’s a lot of pressure for me too.”
Before meeting in Dubai both players will also feature in a New York exhibition on December 8. Sabalenka will play against Coco Gauff while Kyrgios will play Tommy Paul.
The “Battle of the Sexes” event is backed by Naomi Osaka’s management company Evolve and has been in the works for months. While some see it as a marketing stunt, others view it as a light-hearted way to bring attention to tennis during the off-season. Either way, it’s set to be a spectacle and Kyrgios, as always, finds himself right in the center of it.
