Aryna Sabalenka Reveals Why She’ll Never Play Battle of the Sexes Against Nick Kyrgios: “He Lost Trust”

In December last year, in the modern Battle of the Sexes between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios in Dubai, the latter emerged as the winner with a 6-3, 6-3 win. But if Sabalenka played another man-versus-woman match, she would never play it against Kyrgios.

The Belarusian ace is in Cincinnati for the last WTA 1000 event before the US Open. Kyrgios, on the other hand, was last seen in action at Wimbledon, where he played only doubles with Alexander Bublik and lost in the first round.

Sabalenka recently sat for an interview with TIME magazine, during which, among many things, the World No.1 revealed why she wouldn’t play another match against Kyrgios. She did not, however, disclose much.

Nick was so tight so he couldn’t really bring some fun. I would do it with someone else. He lost trust.

In Cincinnati, Sabalenka last won a title in 2024 but failed to defend it last year, losing in the quarterfinals against Elena Rybakina, who later lost in the semifinals. The Kazakh ace will remove her from the No.1 ranking if she has a better run than Rybakina in Cincinnati.

Rybakina has played four finals so far, winning titles at the Australian Open (beat Sabalenka) and the Stuttgart Open (beat Karolina Muchova). She lost at Indian Wells (to Sabalenka) and to Iga Swiatek in the Canadian Open final. At present, Rybakina has 7991 points in the live rankings, while Sabalenka has 8465 points.

Kim Clijsters on Aryna Sabalenka’s trophy drought

Aryna Sabalenka last won a title at this year’s Miami Open. It was her third title of the season following her wins at the Brisbane International and Indian Wells Open. Since completing the Sunshine Double, Sabalenka has yet to play another final.

Sabalenka has made just one semifinal since that win. It was at the Berlin Open, where she lost to eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula. Former World No.1 Kim Clijsters thinks she knows the problem Sabalenka is dealing with.

What I always feel with Sabalenka is that it can take one shot to turn it around really quickly. For the last few weeks, I think she has been not playing with enough structure in her game. I think that’s what I am lacking a little bit. I think it’s a lot of powerful hitting, and trying to hit the ball harder if things aren’t going her way, she will take even more risks.

Kim Clijsters said on her Love All podcast

Sabalenka will also be chasing a three-peat at the US Open. She made the finals in the last three seasons, losing in 2023 to Coco Gauff and winning in the last two seasons by defeating Pegula and Amanda Anisimova, respectively.

I think Serena [Williams] used to say it a lot. When she was number one and winning all the Grand Slams and everything, players playing you never have anything to lose, so they play so freely, and they serve better than before. All of a sudden, they are returning really well. I think the players Sabalenka has lost to since Miami are all good players, it’s not that she is losing to players that are ranked outside of the top 100. They are all players who are very good in their own right.

Kim Clijsters added

Sabalenka last won a Major at last year’s US Open. Following her defeat in Melbourne this year, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion lost in the quarterfinals of the French Open and the fourth round of Wimbledon.

In Cincinnati, Iga Swiatek will be playing as the defending champion. She defeated Jasmine Paolini last year. Swiatek will be chasing her career’s 13th WTA 1000 title in Cincinnati.

Also read: Rennae Stubbs Claims Alexandra Eala’s Fans ‘Don’t Understand Tennis Etiquette’ After Her Canadian Open Exit