Aryna Sabalenka has welcomed the idea of a high-profile exhibition against Nick Kyrgios, describing the planned ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match as a fresh, attention-grabbing concept. The players are scheduled to meet in the first week of January, prior to the Australian Open, in Hong Kong. The event is being positioned as a modern echo of the 1973 encounter between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs, a match watched by ninety million viewers.

Sabalenka outlined her enthusiasm during a post-match press conference at the US Open. “Well I think it’s a cool idea, you know. It’s going to be spectacular to watch, it’s going to be fun, especially against someone like Nick,” she said. She added, “Like he said in another interview, that I genuinely think I’m going to win.”

On her intent for the match she was unequivocal.

“And I’ll definitely go out there and try my best to kick his a**.

“It’s going to be a good thing if I beat him.

“For now we are not sure about the place but if we’re going to bring it, we’re going to bring it to somewhere where there’s going to be a lot of people watching and we’re going to put a lot of pressure on Nick.”

Organisers have set unusual conditions for the exhibition: Kyrgios will have only one serve and will play into a smaller court than Sabalenka. The format is intended to shape public interest and frame the contest as a direct, entertaining contest between the sexes.

Kyrgios, who has not played a singles match since the Miami Open in March where he lost 7-6(3), 6-0 to Karen Khachanov, has battled wrist problems since 2023 following what has been described as a “full reconstructive” surgery. He managed only five singles matches this season. Sabalenka arrives at the exhibition with a stronger recent resume, having reached multiple Grand Slam finals in 2025 and leading both the WTA rankings and the Race to Riyadh.

Kyrgios discussed Sabalenka on a podcast appearance, saying: “Getting to know her, she’s definitely a character,” and, “She [Sabalenka] is not gonna beat me. Do you really think I have to try 100 per cent? I’m going to try. Because I’m representing the men’s side. I’d say like 6-2 maybe.”

Novak Djokovic says Nick Kyrgios has the game to return to the world’s top 10 if he applied greater discipline, while also expressing hope the Australian can overcome ongoing injury problems. Kyrgios has battled health issues since 2023 and underwent knee and wrist surgery, the latter described as a “full reconstruction” of the wrist. He withdrew from the entire 2024 season to prioritise rest, returned at Brisbane in January and has played just five matches in the nine months since.

“I’d really love for him to come back, because he’s been through so much with injuries,” commented Djokovic, whilst speaking to Serbian media at the US Open. “He means a lot to our sport. As controversial and different as he is, people love it – he draws the crowds.

“I saw him talking with Bublik about playing a match against (Aryna) Sabalenka, a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ like Billie Jean King back in the day.

“That would be very interesting if it happens. I hope he can finish his career on the court. It would be a shame if injuries prevented him from playing at least a few more big tournaments.

“Unfortunately, he didn’t have the discipline that was required, but if he had 30 percent – and he has five percent – he’d be Top 10 easily.

“He played a Wimbledon final without warm-up, without serious training, without a coach, and beat all of us at the top.”

The pair have had a turbulent history. Kyrgios called Djokovic a ‘tool’ after Djokovic advocated easing COVID-19 restrictions at the 2021 Australian Open, and Kyrgios had beaten Djokovic in both meetings that preceded that controversy. The most recent meeting came in the 2022 Wimbledon final, where Djokovic won 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) to take their head-to-head to 2-1.

“He has so much talent and potential, he could have done incredible things, but neglecting his body brought him where he is,” the Serb added. “As a friend, I really like him and hope he comes back – to play that match with Sabalenka and at least his Australian Open, because he deserves that.

“It’s not an easy situation for a tennis player – you don’t know, you’re neither here nor there, unofficially retired but still trying.

“I wish him all the best, and maybe a little less drinking and sending those videos.”

The relationship appears to have warmed: they teamed up in Brisbane this year in the men’s doubles and were knocked out in the second round. Djokovic also joked about Kyrgios’s habit of sending clips. “He sent me a video once, he loves sending me clips from nightclubs, bars – I didn’t even reply to the last one,” joked the tennis legend. “He always says: ‘Why do I keep running into Serbs everywhere in the world?’

“He’ll go to a party, bump into one of ours, they’ll say: ‘Nick, you Serb!’ Then they hug, drink, and he sends me the videos.”

Alex Michelsen and Reilly Opelka have been added to Team World’s roster for the Laver Cup in San Francisco, taking the places of Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul for the September 19-21 event. The No. 6 and No. 14-ranked Americans were both forced to withdraw from the team competition with injuries that have also ruled them out of their nation’s Davis Cup second-round qualifier against Czechia next week in Delray Beach, Fla.

Michelsen is one of four newcomers set to debut at this year’s event, joining teammate Joao Fonseca among the fresh faces on Team World. The 21-year-old from Aliso Viejo, Calif., broke into the Top 30 for the first time in July. His 2025 season includes a run to the round of 16 at the Australian Open, a pair of Top 20 wins and a quarterfinal showing in Toronto.

Opelka returns to the Laver Cup scene seeking his first win at the event, four years after making his debut in Boston. The 6’11” Michigan native has experienced a notable comeback after being sidelined for nearly two years with wrist and hip injuries. He returned to competition in July 2024 and began 2025 ranked No. 293. Since that reset he has climbed back inside the Top 70 on the strength of 23 tour-level wins.

Team Europe reclaimed the Laver Cup last year in Berlin, denying Team World a three-peat and sending captain Bjorn Borg off on a high note. For this edition, Yannick Noah was named as Borg’s successor, with Andre Agassi taking over for John McEnroe.

The late-season team competition will feature the revised Team World lineup as players prepare for the city showdown in San Francisco September 19-21.