'Battle of Sexes': Sabalenka may play Krygios in HK - RTHK
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'Battle of Sexes': Sabalenka may play Krygios in HK

2025-09-04 HKT 11:31
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  • Nick Kyrgios says Aryna Sabalenka 'will not be able to return serves from men'. File photo: AFP/Reuters
    Nick Kyrgios says Aryna Sabalenka 'will not be able to return serves from men'. File photo: AFP/Reuters
Mercurial Australian Nick Kyrgios claims he will easily beat women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a "Battle of the Sexes" showdown that could be played next year.

Australian and British media said the rare man-versus-woman contest was pencilled in, but not yet confirmed, for Hong Kong in January in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

Kyrgios said he was "super-excited" about the prospect, adding: "She's not going to beat me, do you really think I have to try 100 percent?

"Getting to know her, she's definitely a character," the 2022 Wimbledon finalist added in a YouTube interview with fellow ATP Tour player Alexander Bublik.

"I think she's the type of player who genuinely thinks she's going to win."

The 30-year-old Kyrgios, ranked 651 in the world after a series of injuries, has not played since losing in the second round at the Miami Open in March.

In contrast, Belarusian Sabalenka is a three-time Grand Slam champion and the world's top-ranked woman.

Asked by Bublik how he would beat her, Kyrgios said: "Our serves, women can't return them and then we can just chip and drop shot."

Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition in 1973, a key moment as the push for women's rights gained ground. (AFP)

'Battle of Sexes': Sabalenka may play Krygios in HK