NEW YORK – Aryna Sabalenka wants to follow in the footsteps of Billie Jean King. Nick Kyrgios has already challenged her to a new “Battle of the Sexes,” and the world No.1 is confident she will come out on top.
“I’ll definitely go out there and try my best to kick his ass,” said the 2024 US Open champion with a laugh at her press conference in New York.
“I think it’s a cool idea. It’s going to be spectacular to watch. It’s going to be fun, especially against someone like Nick. Like he said in another interview, I genuinely think I’m going to win,” the Belarusian added.
Out of the US Open with an injury, Kyrgios was invited by fellow player Alexander Bublik to talk on Tea with Bublik, from First & Red. Sitting with the Kazakh on a Manhattan rooftop, the Australian said he would beat Sabalenka without needing to try too hard.
“She isn’t going to beat me. Do you really think I have to play at 100%? But I’ll be focused. I’m representing the men’s side. I’d say 6-2, maybe.”
Kyrgios said that the modern version of the ‘Battle of the Sexes,’ a nod to the historic 1973 match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King, will be held in January 2026 in Hong Kong, during the ATP 250 that opens the new season.
However, Sabalenka – glancing with doubt at her agents (the same ones who represent the 2022 Wimbledon finalist) – clarified that a venue had not yet been confirmed.
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“It’s going to be really good (for women tennis) if I manage to beat him, but for now we’re not sure about the venue. What I can say is that if we do it, it will be somewhere with a big crowd watching, and we’re going to put a lot of pressure on Nick,” said Sabalenka.
The Belarusian is into her third straight US Open final, something no one had achieved since Serena Williams in 2014.
After a hard-fought 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over North American Jessica Pegula, Sabalenka extended an impressive run on hard courts: she has not missed a major final on the surface since the 2022 US Open.
