Nick Kyrgios Slams Aryna Sabalenka, Says 'She's Not Gonna Beat Me' At 'Battles Of The Sexes'

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 09:21 IST

Kyrgios claims he would easily defeat Sabalenka in a planned Battle of the Sexes match in Hong Kong in January 2026, drawing buzz in both ATP and WTA circles.

Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka (X)

Nick Kyrgios stays supremely confident he would defeat women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a rare “Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match that is being lined up for early next year.

According to Australian and British media, organizers are planning the one-off contest to take place in Hong Kong in January 2026, just before the Australian Open.

While not yet confirmed, discussions are reportedly advanced, and the matchup is already generating significant buzz in both the ATP and WTA circles.

For Kyrgios, who has been sidelined by injuries and has slipped to 651st in the world rankings, has not played competitively since losing in the second round of the Miami Open back in March.

Sabalenka, in contrast, is at the peak of her career. The 26-year-old Belarusian has won three Grand Slam titles and currently sits at the very top of the WTA rankings.

Kyrgios: “She’s Not Going to Beat Me"

Kyrgios has never been shy about making bold declarations, and he delivered another when asked about the potential matchup in a YouTube interview with fellow ATP player Alexander Bublik.

“She’s not going to beat me, do you really think I have to try 100 percent?" Kyrgios said, grinning.

He admitted that Sabalenka’s personality intrigues him, adding:

“Getting to know her, she’s definitely a character. I think she’s the type of player who genuinely thinks she’s going to win."

Pressed by Bublik on how he would secure victory, Kyrgios highlighted what he believes is an insurmountable advantage.

“Our serves — women can’t return them, and then we can just chip and drop shot," he argued.

A Match Steeped in History

The planned exhibition would inevitably draw comparisons to the famous 1973 “Battle of the Sexes" between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. King’s straight-sets victory in Houston was watched by an estimated 90 million people worldwide and became a defining moment in both tennis and the broader push for gender equality in sport.

While Kyrgios vs. Sabalenka would not carry the same political weight as King vs. Riggs, it would still be one of the most high-profile mixed-gender tennis events in decades.

(with agency inputs)

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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First Published:

September 04, 2025, 09:21 IST

News sports Nick Kyrgios Slams Aryna Sabalenka, Says 'She's Not Gonna Beat Me' At 'Battles Of The Sexes'

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