Nick Kyrgios has claimed that women ‘can’t return’ serves by male players as he prepares to face Aryna Sabalenka in a ‘battle of the sexes’. The duo, who are represented by the same agency, will go head-to-head in a unique clash before next year’s Australian Open. Sabalenka is the world’s best female player, having been at the top of the WTA rankings since last October.
She has won three Grand Slam titles, prevailing at last year’s Australian Open and winning the US Open twice. Kyrgios, meanwhile, has only ever reached one Wimbledon final and has been dealing with injuries over the last few years. However, he is extremely confident about beating Sabalenka when they face each other on the court.
Speaking to fellow player Alexander Bublik on the First and Red podcast, Kyrgios said: “Our serves, women can’t return, then we can just chip and drop shot.”
Kyrgios added that while there is no bad blood between himself and Sabalenka, he believes he may not even need to be at his best to defeat her.
“Obviously, we’re the same agency, me and Sabalenka,” he said. “She’s awesome, by the way. Getting to know her, she’s definitely a character, but I’m super excited for that [match].
“She’s the type of player that I think she genuinely thinks she’s going to win… she’s not going to beat me, bro. Do you really think I have to try 100 per cent?”
Kyrgios then offered an early score prediction, adding: “[I will] definitely [try hard] because I’m representing, I guess, the men’s side. I would say, like, 6-2. I think I’m going to be OK. I’m going to try. I don’t want her to win.”
The outspoken Aussie also revealed that Sabalenka’s side of the court will be smaller than his own. In addition, both players will only have one serve to add to the exhibition feel of the match.
The match will be the fourth edition of the ‘battle of the sexes’ in tennis, with Bobby Riggs beating Margaret Court back in 1973. Buoyed by his victory, he called out any other female players who thought they could defeat him.
Billie Jean King ended up accepting a lucrative financial offer to play Riggs later that year. She famously prevailed in straight sets to claim the bragging rights and an additional £74,620 in prize money.
A third match took place in 1992, with Jimmy Connors overcoming the challenge posed by Martina Navratilova. Sabalenka will be hoping to beat Kyrgios and claw one back for the women when they rekindle the rivalry next year.
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