Aryna Sabalenka is cemented as the women’s world No.1, but soon, she’ll have the opportunity to prove she can compete with elite male stars as well. The 27-year-old is currently preparing for her Wimbledon quarter-final with the unseeded Laura Siegemund today (Tuesday) on Centre Court, as she closes in on a first-ever crown at SW19.
Regardless, the three-time Grand Slam champion already has a huge challenge to look forward to later in the year. Nick Kyrgios has claimed that he has reached an agreement with the Belarusian to face off in Hong Kong in October. However, the pair won’t be playing under normal tennis rules.
Kyrgios, 30, is currently at Wimbledon as a pundit, having been ruled out of competing with injury. The Australian has been confirmed for the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in Asia in October, though, as coach Patrick Mouratoglou and businessman Alex Popyrin continue their revolutionary concept.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Kyrgios explained the format of the proposed clash at the Kai Tak Arena, saying: “Sabalenka and I are thinking about doing a battle of the sexes later in the year, where the court is going to be slightly smaller for me. One serve.
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“We’re thinking about doing it later in the year in Hong Kong. This is going to be something that I’m really nervous about, to be honest, because she’s in her absolute prime right now, and she’s getting the wooden legs of me.”
UTS competitions have been running since 2020. Designed to attract a new, younger audience, matches involve players battling over four quarters of eight minutes each, with only one serve allowed per point.
Kyrgios added that “UTS is how modern-day tennis should be.” He also insisted that both players were keen on the idea and even revealed his main tactic.
“It’s something that we’re both up for doing,” he continued. “We are very close. The drop shot is my friend. And I still think I’ve got enough variation and talent in the tank to take Sabalenka on. But she’s fierce and yes (laughs), I’m feeling nervous right now.”
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