Aryna Sabalenka is gearing up for one of the most talked-about exhibitions of the year, yet the World No.1 remains unfazed by the noise swirling around her. The four-time Grand Slam champion will face Australian star Nick Kyrgios in a modern-day “Battle of the Sexes” on December 28 — a spectacle instantly compared to Billie Jean King’s historic 1973 showdown with Bobby Riggs.
But Sabalenka has no interest in entertaining fear, doubt or the weight of old debates. Instead, she has offered three clear, unapologetic reasons why this match poses no threat to her nor to the women’s game.
What Happened: A High-Voltage Exhibition Ignites Debate, But Aryna Sabalenka Is Unbothered (Reason 1: It’s No Risk to Her)
The upcoming Sabalenka–Kyrgios matchup has triggered a wave of commentary, including questions about what a potential loss might signify for women’s tennis. Kyrgios, currently ranked 672 after an injury-riddled year, remains a dangerous shot-maker with the explosive serve and power that once defined him.
Critics, however, rushed to ask the predictable question: What if the women’s World No.1 loses to a man so far down the rankings? Could it damage the sport’s credibility?
Sabalenka’s reaction was immediate and dismissive.
“I am not putting myself at any risk,” she told the BBC. “We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.”
Her first bold reason was straightforward: this match is an exhibition, not a referendum. It doesn’t define rankings, legacy or the women’s tour. It is entertainment, visibility, and a chance to showcase the sport on a large stage.
While parallels with the 1973 King–Riggs battle draw attention, Sabalenka refuses to shoulder the symbolic burden. This event is modern, friendly, and commercially driven. It’s not a fight to validate women’s tennis.
To her, there is simply nothing to lose.
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What Was Told: Critics Question Biological Differences — Sabalenka Calls It Irrelevant (Reason 2: She Accepts Reality Without Letting It Define the Narrative)
As anticipation built, conversations again turned toward physical strength disparities — a familiar talking point whenever male-vs-female matchups arise. Sabalenka, instead of deflecting, addressed the topic head-on.
“It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that,” she said.
Her second bold reason was rooted in clarity and candour: acknowledging biological reality should not diminish women’s tennis. Instead, she argues the exhibition serves a valuable purpose, and that is drawing attention to the women’s game, engaging new audiences, and elevating visibility.
“This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level,” she said.
Kyrgios himself has added layers to the discussion. Known for once saying women “can’t return men’s serves” and claiming he’d beat Sabalenka with minimal effort, he now insists the match can help unite the tours.
“If Aryna and I play our best tennis… our handshake afterwards [can] solidify the union between males and females in the tennis world,” Kyrgios said.
But amid the chatter, Sabalenka remains unmoved. She refuses to let the debate become a burden. Her stance: the biology argument isn’t new, isn’t surprising, and isn’t a threat.
She knows what it is and what it isn’t.
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How Sabalenka Answered: Pressure Belongs to Kyrgios, Not Her (Reason 3: She Calls It a ‘Win-Win’ While He’s in a ‘Lose-Lose’)
If critics thought Sabalenka might feel intimidated, she offered her sharpest reasoning yet.
“It’s not going to be an easy match for Nick,” she said with a smile. “I’m going to be there competing and showing women are strong, powerful and good entertainment.”
Then came her most pointed remark — the third bold reason she isn’t losing sleep:
“He’s in a lose-lose situation. I’m in a win-win situation.”
If she wins, she makes a statement.
If she loses, she loses to a biologically stronger male player in an exhibition match — something she has repeatedly noted carries no stigma.
Kyrgios, meanwhile, risks being mocked if he struggles, ridiculed if he loses, and criticised if he wins too comfortably. The pressure, narrative weight, and scrutiny all tilt toward him.
Sabalenka’s clarity on expectations, her acceptance of biological differences, and her awareness of the pressure dynamics leave her entering the event with total freedom.
As the tennis world prepares for the December 28 spectacle, Sabalenka has already won the first battle, which is the battle of perception, and her three bold reasons have dismantled the criticism before a single ball has been struck.
