Aryna Sabalenka insists she can 'inspire' others in controversial match with Kyrgios

Sunday, 28 December 2025 at 15:26

byJordan Reynolds

Aryna Sabalenka is aware of the strong feelings surrounding her match against Nick Kyrgios and offered her perspective on why it will be positive for tennis.

The Battle of the Sexes contest, scheduled for December 28th in Dubai, has generated significant criticism from fans and dismissiveness from some players, who do not think it will feel like an actual battle.

Casper Ruud was among the ATP players who said the concept felt gimmicky since the rules will be adapted to give Sabalenka a better chance of competing. Ruud thinks it should be a typical match as usual without any adaptations.

Other prevalent criticisms from fans are that Sabalenka losing to Kyrgios despite rule changes would be terrible for women's tennis, and the Australian's history of pushing his ex-girlfriend, despite escaping a conviction, means the WTA world No. 1 should not collaborate with him.

In a pre-event press conference, Sabalenka responded to the concerns. She knows of the strong feelings many have, but insists she is focusing on inspiring young female players by competing well against a man.

"I’m used to being under pressure, and I’m used to both the love and hate on social media, so I don’t pay too much attention to it. I know there are people who support the event and others who don’t."

"I’m just focused on myself. I hope we have a good battle. I think that by putting myself in this situation, by facing a guy, I inspire the next generation to be brave and challenge themselves. That’s how I see it."

Although criticisms of the concept are understandable, Sabalenka is undoubtedly at least somewhat brave for being willing to risk ridicule if Kyrgios comfortably wins despite her having a larger court area to hit into.

Aryna Sabalenka does not think her match with Nick Kyrgios should be compared to Billie Jean King's battle with Bobby Riggs

Despite tennis's multitude of significant moments over the past 52 years, Billie Jean King's 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs remains one of the most iconic and widely viewed matches, watched by an estimated 90 million people worldwide.

That moment helped mainstream women's tennis and led more people to respect it. Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka's Battle of the Sexes match on December 28th has been compared to Billie Jean King's battle with Riggs.

However, in a press conference before her contest against Kyrgios, Sabalenka said Jean King was seeking to achieve equality between male and female players. The Belarusian outlined how her and Kyrgios's match serves a different purpose.

"I think back then it was a completely different story. They were fighting for different things. We’re here to take tennis to a different level, bring attention to our sport, help it grow, and have fun. Women have already shown that we deserve equality. I want to show that we’re capable of having a great fight with a man."

Whether Sabalenka is helping the WTA Tour by playing Kyrgios has generated intense debate. The answer to that question will become clearer afterward.