Kyrgios Admits Feeling Pressure Ahead of ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Exhibition Against Sabalenka

Nick Kyrgios has admitted he is feeling the pressure ahead of his upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, despite expressing confidence in his chances of victory.

The pair confirmed earlier this week that the highly anticipated exhibition will take place on 28 December in Dubai.

“I was in Hong Kong recently and a lot of the male players were like, ‘Look, you’re representing all of us.’ So here I am in the firing line again,” Kyrgios told the Australian Associated Press on Friday. “I’m not a stranger to taking the heat from the media, but I’m excited whatever the result may be.

“I’m going to go out there and show the world that as good as she is, she’s got some weaknesses.”

The event’s title pays homage to the original ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in 1973 between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, which King famously won in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome.

Kyrgios, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, has played only six tour-level matches over the past three years due to wrist and knee injuries. The Australian revealed that for the exhibition, he will be hitting towards a slightly smaller section of the court — around 10% smaller than Sabalenka’s target area — giving him less space to strike winners.

Before their Dubai meeting, both players are set to appear at an exhibition event in New York on 8 December, though not against each other. Sabalenka will face Naomi Osaka, while Kyrgios is scheduled to play Tommy Paul.

Despite his trademark confidence, Kyrgios said he holds immense respect for Sabalenka.

“Obviously you’ve got one potentially, I think, one of the greatest of all time women’s players and she’s not even close to scratching the surface of what she can achieve,” he told AAP. “I think she wins multiple more Grand Slams.

“She’s honestly been talking a little bit more about this match than I have, but I’m ready to take the challenge. I’m going to go out there and, in all honesty, it’s a lot of pressure for me too.”

Acknowledging that the majority of the crowd is likely to support Sabalenka, Kyrgios highlighted his impressive career record, having beaten all four of the sport’s so-called ‘Big Four’ — Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray.

He remains one of only two players in history to have won his first encounters with Nadal (2014 Wimbledon), Federer (2015 Madrid) and Djokovic (2017 Acapulco).

“Look, I’m very confident,” Kyrgios added. “I mean, there’s been about 16 people that have ever walked the earth that have beaten the Big Three and the Big Four.

“So I feel like, look, I’m quite confident but at the same time I’m very aware she’s dangerous.”

Although currently ranked World No. 652 following his long injury layoff, the 30-year-old insists he will be in top shape when he steps on court next month.

“I’m going to be ready,” he said. “I feel good about it.”