World number one Aryna Sabalenka said Thursday she wants a rematch of her “Battle of the Sexes” showdown with Nick Kyrgios so she can get revenge.
Australian Kyrgios beat the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3 in a high-profile clash in Dubai last Sunday, with changed rules that divided fans.
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Sabalenka’s court size was reduced by nine percent in a bid to limit Kyrgios’ advantage in power and speed, while each player received only one serve.
“I think I would definitely do it again,” she said ahead of the Brisbane International, her opening tournament of the season as she prepares for the Australian Open on January 18.
“I like revenge and I don’t like leaving things as they are.”
While wanting to face Kyrgios again, Sabalenka said she would want a full court and two serves.
“I think for the next match we will come up with a different format,” she said.
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“Before the match I didn’t realize that I would have to adapt and it was a bit tricky for me. I think I would keep the whole court but I would take two serves. That would improve our level a lot more.
“I always say that when you lose, you learn and I learned a lot about his game,” she added. “I’d do it again. I need revenge.”
The contest bore little resemblance to the landmark 1973 “Battle of the Sexes” encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
At the time, the stakes were much higher with the nascent women’s professional circuit, established by King, fighting for legitimacy and prize money for female players far lower than for men.
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King, one of the greatest players of all time who was at the top of her game, beat Riggs, 55, one of the best players of her era, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston.
The Sabalenka-Kyrgios confrontation faced backlash, with some calling it a “money grab”, while others said it did little to advance women’s football.
But Sabalenka said she thinks exhibition tennis, like the Kyrgios contest, is important.
“I think it’s really important that tennis stays interesting, stays fresh, stays new and stays fun,” she said.
She added that she was proud of her role in the “Battle of the Sexes”, even though Kyrgios has barely played in recent years and ranked 671st.
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“I’m happy I was able to challenge him, make him work and tire him out physically and mentally,” she said.
“I felt really excited to see a guy get tired and go into his full game. It was a really cool experience.”
The Brisbane International begins on Sunday with Sabalenka in her sights for a third Australian Open title after winning in 2023 and 2024. She was beaten in the final at Melbourne Park last year by Madison Keys.
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