Nick Kyrgios Admits Feeling the Nerves Heading into the Battle of Sexes Clash Against Aryna Sabalenka

Nick Kyrgios will clash with Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth Battle of the Sexes match in history.

Nick Kyrgios Admits Feeling the Nerves Heading into the Battle of Sexes Clash Against Aryna Sabalenka

Aryna Sabalenka, Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/Game, Set & Talk, Quindici Zero)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Anyone expecting the 2025 tennis season to conclude without drama is in for a surprise. Nick Kyrgios, never one to end a year quietly, is back in the spotlight as he prepares for an off-season showdown that’s keeping the tennis world talking.

In what began as a lighthearted exhibition idea and quickly turned into one of the year’s headline events, Australia’s Nick Kyrgios is set to face WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai this Sunday. As the match draws near, even the ever-confident Kyrgios admitted during the pre-match press conference that he’s feeling the nerves ahead of the unusual contest:

We’ve both played in big stadiums all over the world. She’s a Grand Slam champion, I’ve played some incredible matches, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m a little nervous. I’m really looking forward to getting out on the court. I know the whole world will be watching. Aryna has tried to distract me with talk of the nightlife here, but I’m staying focused.

The origins of this exhibition are as modern as they come; sparked not by official negotiations but by a viral social media exchange. During the US Open in September, Kyrgios stirred debate when he suggested that women would struggle to return serves from professional men.

Sabalenka, never one to back down from a fight, basically responded with a “bet.” She vowed to take down the Australian, and just like that, the money people in Dubai made it happen.

Nick Kyrgios calls for unity ahead of the Battle of Sexes clash

Despite the controversy, Nick Kyrgios believes that the attention generated by the Battle of the Sexes Clash is beneficial for tennis. The Australian has been out of the tour for most of this season, but has risen from the Ashes before the end of the season. He added:

I know there will be a lot of eyes on this match, but I just want to step onto the court and show the world that great months are coming. This is great preparation for myself and for Aryna. I know that my role here, whether I’m the villain or the hero, is to show the world that this can happen more often. We’re great friends off the court.

Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/Tennis Australia)

To make this a fair contest, the organizers aren’t just putting them on a standard court. They are actively tweaking the gameplay settings.

First, the court size. Aryna Sabalenka is playing on a court that is literally 9% smaller than the one Kyrgios has to defend. Sabalenka has already said she plans to use this to stay in “attack mode” constantly, knowing Kyrgios can’t exploit the angles as easily.

Second: the serve. Kyrgios has one of the most lethal serves in tennis history. To balance the scales, players are only allowed one serve per point. No second serves and no faults allowed.

The tennis legends aren’t impressed

While the internet is embracing this, not everyone is thrilled about the reboot. Billie Jean King, the woman who actually played for stakes that mattered in ’73, threw some shade at the event. She pointed out that her match was about cultural shifts and equality. She said on BBC:

The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl.

Aryna Sabalenka, Billie Jean King, Nick Kyrgios
Aryna Sabalenka, Billie Jean King, Nick Kyrgios (Image via X/Aryna Sabalenka Archive, Billie Jean King, Olly Tennis)

However, Sabalenka and Kyrgios appear to be fine with that distinction. They aren’t trying to solve gender inequality on a Sunday night in the UAE; they are trying to put on a show. Sabalenka noted that women have already proved they deserve equal standing, and now she wants to have fun and beat Kyrgios at his own game.

If Kyrgios’s wrist holds up, and he can land that single serve consistently, he’s the favorite. But with a smaller court and a rustier game, he’s walking a tightrope.

Also Read: Jack Draper Confirms 2026 Australian Open Participation after Months on the Sidelines