In order to exact revenge, world number one Aryna Sabalenka stated on Thursday that she wanted a rematch of her “Battle of the Sexes” matchup with Nick Kyrgios.
In a highly-publicised match in Dubai on Sunday, Australia’s Kyrgios defeated the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3, with altered rules that split supporters.
In an effort to limit Kyrgios’ advantage in strength and speed, Sabalenka’s side of the court was shrunk by 9%, and each player was only given one serve.
“I think I would definitely do it again. I love revenge and I don’t like to leave it the way it is,” she said ahead of the Brisbane International, her season-opening tournament as she prepares for the Australian Open on January 18.
Sabalenka expressed her desire to play Kyrgios once more, but she stated that she would like a full court and two serves.
“I think for the next match we will come up with a different format,” she said.
“Before the match I didn’t realise I would have to adjust and it was a bit tricky for me. I think I would keep the full court but I would take two serves. That would even our level a lot more. I always say that when you are losing, you are learning and I learned a lot about his game,” she added. “I would do it again. I need revenge.”
The competition was very different from the historic “Battle of the Sexes” match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in 1973.
The fledgling women’s professional tour, which King founded, was fighting for credibility at the time, and the prize money for female players was far less than that of male players.
In Houston, the 55-year-old Riggs, a top player in his era, was defeated 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 by King, one of the greatest women’s players of all time and at the peak of her abilities.
There was criticism of the Sabalenka-Kyrgios match, with some calling it a “money grab” and others claiming it accomplished little to improve the women’s sport. However, Sabalenka stated that she thought exhibition tennis, such as the Kyrgios competition, was crucial.
“I think it’s really important for tennis to keep it interesting, keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun,” she said.
Despite Kyrgios’ poor performance in recent years and low ranking of 671, she continued, she was pleased of her role in the “Battle of the Sexes”.
“I am happy that I was able to challenge him, make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally get tired. I felt really excited to see a man getting tired and going for his full game. It was a really cool experience,” she said.
After winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, Sabalenka is aiming for a third title when the Brisbane International begins on Sunday. Madison Keys defeated her in the Melbourne Park final last year.
