Sabalenka Fires Back at Kyrgios Ahead of 'Battle of the Sexes' Exhibition

Aryna Sabalenka on Friday dismissed remarks from Nick Kyrgios about his chances in their planned "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition, saying she will go out to win and take the contest seriously.

Kyrgios drew attention earlier in the week when he suggested he would not need to play at 100 percent to beat the world No. 1. Sabalenka, who reached the US Open final by defeating Jessica Pegula in the semifinals, responded during a US Open media session by signalling she would not be taking the matchup lightly.

"I'll definitely go out there, and I'll try my best to kick his ass," Sabalenka said, adding with a laugh that the exhibition would be "spectacular to watch" and "fun, especially against someone like Nick." She also referenced remarks in which Kyrgios had expressed confidence he could win, saying, "Like he said in another interview, that I genuinely think I'm going to win. It's gonna be a good thing if I'll be able to beat him."

The exhibition is expected to be staged in Hong Kong as part of a series of events ahead of the Australian Open in January, organisers have indicated. Details including the exact date, format and prize arrangements for the head-to-head have not been confirmed.

Kyrgios, known for his outspoken media presence and frequent on-court theatrics, has in recent years taken part in high-profile exhibitions and mixed-format events. Sabalenka, meanwhile, has been among the tour's most consistent performers this season and arrives in New York in the form that carried her to the final of a Grand Slam for the first time this year.

Exhibition matches that pitch male and female players against one another have a long public history in tennis, most famously the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Modern iterations generally serve promotional and entertainment purposes rather than being sanctioned competitive fixtures, and they often adopt modified scoring or mixed-team formats to level perceived physical differences.

Both players have loyal followings and a history of generating headlines. Kyrgios has frequently used pre-match banter to build interest, while Sabalenka has cultivated a reputation for intensity and directness on the court. Tournament organisers and broadcasters said in previous statements that the event is intended to draw attention ahead of the Australian summer of tennis.

Representatives for Sabalenka and Kyrgios did not immediately provide further comment beyond the public remarks made at the US Open. Organisers have said they expect to finalise arrangements in the coming months and will announce specifics once contracts and venue details are settled.

Until then, Sabalenka remains focused on her US Open campaign, where her run to the final continued the momentum she has carried through the hard-court season. The exhibition, if it proceeds as anticipated, will offer a showcase match with significant public interest but will not alter rankings or affect the players' positions on the WTA or ATP tours.