Emma Raducanu wonders whether Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will go 'flat out' in 'Battle of the Sexes'
Updated 28/12/2025 at 13:49 GMT
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Emma Raducanu admits she probably will not tune in to watch the 'Battle of the Sexes' live. Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka are in Dubai for a much-discussed clash that has received both criticism and acclaim. They will go head-to-head on an indoor hard court. Raducanu thinks it will be fascinating to see whether they go "flat out" given the Australian Open is just around the corner.
'Kick his a**' - Sabalenka on facing Kyrgios in 'Battle of the Sexes' clash
Video credit: SNTV
Emma Raducanu has questioned whether Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will be going "flat out" in their hotly-anticipated 'Battle of the Sexes' clash.
The pair will go face-to-face in Dubai in a winner-takes-all contest on Sunday.
After a short off-season, the match could also form part of their preparation for next month's Australian Open, which is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
With that tournament only a few weeks away, Raducanu is not sure both players will be giving 100%.
"I want to see if they both go flat out," she said. "But it will be interesting.
"I don’t think I’ll watch it all live, but I think I’ll watch some highlights or a recap of it."
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The clash between Kyrgios and Sabalenka rekindles memories of the second 'Battle of the Sexes' clash between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in 1973.
That match remains one of the most famous in the sport's history, so much so that books and even a film have been produced to tell its tale.
Like Sabalenka and King, Raducanu is a Grand Slam champion, but she offered a negative response when asked whether she would consider participating in a comparable contest.
"No, I don’t think anyone would sign up for that," she continued. "Honestly. But I think it would just be cool for the public."
Raducanu already has some experience of competing against male players herself.
The 23-year-old teamed up with Carlos Alcaraz in the mixed doubles at the 2025 US Open.
The pair were knocked out in the quarter-finals, losing 4-2 4-2 to Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula.
There are certain differences between that match and what happens in Dubai though.
For starters, Sabalenka and Kyrgios will only have one serve each. The court dimensions have also been altered, with the Belarusian's side of the net 3.5ft shorter and 2.4ft thinner. That is due to a claim from organisers Evolve that female players move approximately 9% slower on average than men.
Speaking from her own experience, Raducanu has described the differences between facing male and female players.
"It wasn’t long but I hit with Carlos [Alcaraz] in New York, and the impact of his ball… It looks like he’s not trying, but on your strings, it’s so heavy," she added.
"That compared to a girl, usually they hit the ball flatter, except Iga [Swiatek] hits a very spinning ball.
"And there are certain exceptions in the women’s game. Aryna’s ball is pretty heavy, too.
"But I’d say the heaviness of the impact is different, and also just their strength in certain positions.
"You think you’ve hit a good shot, and they’re just able to get behind the ball an extra step and generate and one-up you and use your pace. That and the serve."
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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