Ahead of Sabalenka showdown, Kyrgios says few men would face top woman

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FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 13, 2025 Australias Nick Kyrgios gestures during his first round match against Britains Jacob Fearnley REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo

BENGALURU, Dec 17 - Nick Kyrgios believes few male players would accept the chance to face a top woman as the maverick Australian prepares to take on womens world number one Aryna Sabalenka ‍in ​a Battle of the Sexes exhibition later this month.

While many consider the ‍December 28 meeting between Kyrgios and four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka in Dubai as nothing more than entertainment, ​critics believe ​it risks undermining the reputation of womens tennis.

Womens trailblazer Billie Jean King famously defeated the 55-year-old former Grand Slam champion Bobby Riggs in a similar showdown, and Kyrgios conceded he was a ‍bit nervous.

I think my chances are really high. Im very confident in my ability, Kyrgios said ​with a smile during the World Tennis ⁠League exhibition tournament in the south Indian city of Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Its going to be fun, but also Im a bit nervous. I like doing things that are outside the box. Honestly, not many males in my position would ​have done that and taken the opportunity.

Unlike Riggs, Kyrgios is still an active player on the mens circuit even ‌though he has played only five professional matches ​in 2025 because of injuries that have dogged his career.

The former world number 13 had said in September that women