Aryna Sabalenka eyes Battle of the Sexes 'revenge' after Nick Kyrgios loss
NewsMonday, 29 December 2025 at 11:20
Aryna Sabalenka might have lost the 2025 Battle of the Sexes, but she's not ready to give up on playing against ATP players.
The Battle of the Sexes returned after many decades, but it wasn't the spectacle it once used to be. Although the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai was reportedly sold out, the event has drawn a lot of criticism online.
Fans didn't like the nature of it, thinking it could only hurt the women's tennis, as, obviously, it would always be hard even for the WTA world No. 1 to challenge anyone who has enjoyed success on the ATP Tour. However, some enjoyed the event for what it was.
Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios seemed to be two of those people. They rejected any criticism, saying they couldn't see how anyone could view the match negatively. At the end of the day, they wanted to entertain people.
Speaking after the match, which she lost 3-6, 3-6, Sabalenka was proud of her performance. She even hinted at a rematch, since she mentioned how she plans to approach the match "next time."
"I felt great. I think I put on a great fight. He was struggling. He got really tight. I'm happy to see the guy is getting tight when taking away one of my serves. I think it was a great level. I made a lot of great shots. Moved a lot to the net. Great drop shots, Nick. Great serving."
"I really enjoyed the show. I think… not I think… I feel like next time I play him, I already know the tactic. I know his strengths and weaknesses. It’s gonna be a better match for sure."
Sabalenka was immediately asked whether she would want a rematch. The Belarusian player is someone who loves to compete, which is why she eyes a revenge.
"Yeah. I love revenge. I love to challenge myself. I would love to play again."
Despite losing the match, Sabalenka focused on the positives. She saw it as an excellent preparation for the 2026 season, as taking on a man is always a great challenge for a WTA player.
"Of course, it felt different. The court is different. I had to make a couple of adjustments. Obviously, playing against a guy is completely different tennis. Everything is much faster. It was a great fitness for me today."
"I hope for the next couple of days I’ll have great recovery and great days off. After this match, I’m pretty much ready for the season. I hope I’ll bring great tennis and bring joy to the people watching me during the season."
Sabalenka will start her season at the Brisbane International. After that, she will attempt to lift her third Australian Open title. She won in 2023 and 2024, but lost the 2025 final to Madison Keys.
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