Aryna Sabalenka suggests two changes in hunt for 'Battle of the Sexes' revenge as Nick Kyrgios eyes rematch

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Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka lost a recent exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, in a bout dubbed the 'Battle of the Sexes' which took place in Dubai over December. The Belarusian has now said she wants the chance to level the series, and mentioned two changes she would make in order to give her a better chance of success. She lost the first match 6-3 6-3.

'I love revenge' - Sabalenka keen to rematch Kyrgios in Battle of the Sexes

Video credit: SNTV

Women’s tennis No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said she "loves revenge" as she targets a rematch in the "Battle of the Sexes" clash with Nick Kyrgios.

The two played one another in an exhibition in Dubai as they contested an amended version of a tennis match.

The court on Sabalenka’s side was 9% smaller in an attempt to reduce the speed and power advantage held by her 30-year-old Australian opponent, and each player had just one service attempt.

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While the 27-year-old Belarusian is ranked as the best in the world in her side of the sport, she lost 6-3 6-3 to Kyrgios, who is well down the rankings after years struggling with injury, though he is planning a comeback at the Brisbane International after receiving a wildcard entrance for the tournament.

Speaking ahead of the warm-up event for the Australian Open, which begins on January 18 live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Sabalenka said she would want to run it back to level the series.

"I think I would definitely do it again," she said. "I love revenge and I don't like to leave it the way it is."

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In the proposed second match-up, Sabalenka would like to revert to the standard dimensions of a court, and the regulation two serves.

"I think for the next match we will come up with a different format," she continued.

"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. I would do it again. I need revenge."

Some observers criticised the match between players of different sexes, but Sabalenka defended the set-up as a way to keep the sport developing.

She explained: "I think it's really important for tennis to keep it interesting, keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun.

"I am happy that I was able to challenge him, make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally get tired," she said.

"I felt really excited to see a man getting tired and going for his full game. It was a really cool experience."

Sabalenka was the winner at both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the Australian Open. Last season, she won the WTA Tour Finals, as well as the US Open, to overtake Iga Swiatek as the No. 1.

Kyrgios: 'I was very serious'

Upon landing back in Australia, Kyrgios echoed Sabalenka's comments in wanting a rematch - but was unsure of the circumstances in which it would take place.

"I was very serious, not going to lie, a lot of pressure there," Kyrgios told reporters. "It was a different opportunity, a blessing to go out there and play.

"Dubai was an amazing place, and it was an incredible event to be honest. Aryna, she put up a great fight, great player, and I’d love to do it again to be honest.

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"I’m not sure what circumstances that’d be under, but I’d love to play again. I really enjoy all these different events, to touch down in Australia and play again here, it’s a lot of fun."

Kyrgios is set to compete in the Brisbane International after being handed a wildcard alongside the Kooyong Classic warm-up exhibition event, but has not yet been handed a wildcard for the Australian Open - in which he competed last year through a protected ranking.

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