Aryna Sabalenka Defends Battle of Sexes Match with Nick Kyrgios After Mixed Reaction

Aryna Sabalenka thinks she’s got Nick Kyrgios exactly where she wants him.

The world No. 1 women’s player believes their upcoming Battle of the Sexes match puts all the pressure on Kyrgios – and gives her nothing to lose.

The exhibition match was officially announced for December 28th in Dubai after months of back-and-forth talk between the two players. Both have been pretty confident about their chances, with Kyrgios saying he could beat Sabalenka without even giving 100%.

But Sabalenka’s got a different take on who’s really feeling the heat.

The Psychology Game

Speaking at the 2025 WTA Finals, the US Open champion explained why she thinks this whole thing works in her favor.

"I just want to play my best tennis and put him in a very uncomfortable situation, because for him it’s lose-lose, you know? If you win against the girl, it’s like, ‘Oh yeah, congrats, well done.’ If you lose against the girl, then it’s, you know, ‘Come on, Nick!’"

She’s not wrong about the expectations.

"And for me, it’s win-win. If I win, that’s like, OK, we have something to talk about. And if I lose, I mean, I just hope that I’m not going to lose 6-0. And if I lose, that it’s a tight battle, and I just want to force him to go crazy on court."

The Belarusian player has always been one of tennis’s most intense competitors. She’s not backing down from this challenge, even though plenty of fans aren’t thrilled about the whole idea.

Mixed Reactions from Tennis Fans

The announcement hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing.

Some tennis fans think this could be great for the sport – bringing in new viewers and putting tennis in the spotlight. Others worry it could backfire big time, especially if rule changes make it look like women’s tennis needs extra help to compete.

There are rumors about possible alterations to level the playing field. Things like each player only getting one serve instead of two, or Sabalenka hitting into a larger court area.

That’s got some WTA supporters worried. If the world’s best female player can’t even come close with those advantages, what does that say about women’s tennis?

Then there’s the Nick Kyrgios factor itself. Some fans aren’t happy about Sabalenka teaming up with someone who admitted to pushing his ex-girlfriend during an argument. Kyrgios avoided criminal charges for what the court called "a single act of stupidity or frustration," but it’s still rubbing people the wrong way.

Taking It Seriously

Despite all the trash talk and banter, Sabalenka knows this isn’t just fun and games.

"I totally understand the responsibility of this match that I, in a way, put on my shoulders. And that’s why I’ll go out there, and there’s no jokes. I’ll play full. And hopefully, I can just keep up with Billie Jean and probably help women’s tennis to get better conditions."

That reference to Billie Jean King isn’t accidental. King’s famous 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs in the original Battle of the Sexes is still one of tennis’s most important moments. The pressure to live up to that legacy has got to be intense.

But Sabalenka’s planning some psychological warfare of her own.

Bringing in Backup

In what might be the most entertaining part of this whole situation, Sabalenka’s thinking about getting Novak Djokovic in her corner.

"I really hope to bring him into my box and be my coach just to put an extra pressure on Nick. I already told Nick, like, ‘Nick, you know what, Novak is really helping me, with the tactics and everything’."

Kyrgios apparently wasn’t too worried about that threat.

"Which his reply was like, ‘Well, he always struggled with me’. But I was like, ‘But he always won. So, you know what? Probably you’re going to struggle against me as well.’"

Classic Sabalenka. She’s never been one to back down from a mental battle, and it sounds like she’s already getting under Kyrgios’s skin.

What’s Really at Stake

Beyond all the entertainment value, this match could actually matter for tennis.

If Sabalenka plays well and keeps it competitive, it might show casual fans just how good women’s tennis really is. The sport’s always looking for ways to grow its audience, and exhibition matches like this can sometimes create new fans.

But if it goes badly? That could set women’s tennis back in ways that last way longer than one December evening in Dubai.

The December 28th date is coming up fast. And whether you love the idea or hate it, Sabalenka’s right about one thing – all the pressure’s on Kyrgios now.