Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will face off in a Battle of the Sexes clash later this month…
52 years after Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs in the Astrodome, Kyrgios and Sabalenka will do battle in Dubai.
The match has already caused plenty of debate, with some suggesting they won’t watch for several reasons.
What will the impact on women’s tennis be if Nick Kyrgios wins easily?
Many are concerned about what a defeat for Sabalenka would mean for women’s tennis and the WTA Tour.
However, the rules do favor Sabalenka, as the court is smaller on her side, giving Kyrgios less room to hit into.
Sharing her thoughts on the match, Sabalenka’s rival, Jessica Pegula, commented on another rule that may hurt the Australian.
Jessica Pegula thinks only having one serve each ‘definitely evens out’ the Battle of the Sexes match
During the latest episode of ‘The Player’s Box Podcast‘, Pegula gave her verdict on the Battle of the Sexes ruleset.
“One serve per player, definitely evens it out a lot more,” she said.
Who do you think will win the 2025 Battle of the Sexes?
“Because Nick’s serve is insane.”
Sabalenka and Kyrgios will be limited to one serve each in Dubai, in a bid to level the playing field.
During his last ‘full year’ on tour (2022), Kyrgios ranked second in ‘Serve Rating’, behind 6ft 8 John Isner.
2022 Serve Rating – ATP Tour
| Player | Serve Rating | 1st Serve % | 1st Serve points won % | 2nd Serve points won % | Service games won % | Average aces per match | Average double faults per match |
| John Isner | 314.0 | 68.4% | 80.7% | 53.5% | 91.7% | 22.4 | 2.7 |
| Nick Kyrgios | 308.1 | 68.0% | 78.8% | 55.9% | 92.9% | 15.9 | 3.4 |
| Reilly Opelka | 307.1 | 65.2% | 79.5% | 57.8% | 90.8% | 15.9 | 2.1 |
| Hubert Hurkacz | 299.1 | 63.4% | 78.2% | 55.3% | 90.5% | 13.3 | 1.6 |
| Matteo Berrettini | 292.0 | 64.0% | 78.3% | 51.6% | 87.8% | 12.4 | 2.1 |
| Novak Djokovic | 290.7 | 65.6% | 77.2% | 56.2% | 87.7% | 5.9 | 1.9 |
| Maxime Cressy | 289.3 | 61.6% | 78.3% | 54.4% | 88.8% | 14.5 | 8.3 |
| Ben Shelton | 286.6 | 58.6% | 79.0% | 54.3% | 89.5% | 10.0 | 4.8 |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 286/6 | 63.1% | 76.5% | 55.2% | 86.3% | 7.6 | 2.1 |
| Felix Auger-Aliassime | 286.1 | 64.7% | 77.1% | 50.4% | 86.3% | 11.0 | 3.4 |
Sabalenka has a similarly dominant serve on the WTA Tour, although Kyrgios would undoubtedly still have the edge.
Aryna Sabalenka’s serving stats in 2025
- Aces – 302 (6th on WTA Tour)
- 1st Serve % – 62.7% (145th on WTA Tour)
- 1st Serve points won % – 68.4% (25th on WTA Tour)
- 2nd Serve % – 50.7% (19th on WTA Tour)
- Serve points won % – 61.8% (5th on WTA Tour)
- Break points saved % – 64.8% (24th on WTA Tour)
- Service games won % – 77.8% (4th on WTA Tour)
2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys isn’t too sure that the rule will even things up, though.
“But Nick also goes for first serves on a second serve in normal matches…” she said.
Pegula, however, believes the rule will make a difference and give the Belarusian a better chance.
“I don’t know what shape Nick is in. We haven’t seen him in a while, I have no idea. But he’s so talented. If he had two serves… I mean, guys don’t break him, so I would think the two serves are a huge advantage,” she said.
“But if it’s just one, maybe it’s a bit more even.”
Pegula is right to question Kyrgios’ fitness, as the former Wimbledon finalist has only played a handful of matches this year.
Nick Kyrgios in 2025
| Match | Partner (If applicable) | Opponent(s) | Result | Score |
| 2025 Brisbane International 1R (Doubles) | Novak Djokovic | Alexander Erler/Andreas Mies | WIN | 6-4, 6-7, 10-9 |
| 2025 Brisbane International 1R (Singles) | – | Giovanni Mpteshi Perricard | LOSS | 6-7, 7-6, 6-7 |
| 2025 Brisbane International 2R (Doubles) | Novak Djokovic | Nikola Mektic/Michael Venus | LOSS | 2-6, 6-3, 8-10 |
| 2025 Australian Open 1R (Singles) | – | Jacob Fearnley | LOSS | 6-7, 3-6, 6-7 |
| 2025 Australian Open 1R (Doubles) | Thanasi Kokkinakis | Aleksandar Vukic/James Duckworth | LOSS | 5-7, 2-3 (RET) |
| 2025 Indian Wells 1R (Singles) | – | Botic van de Zandschulp | LOSS | 6-7, 0-3 (RET) |
| 2025 Miami Open 1R (Singles) | – | Mackenzie McDonald | WIN | 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2025 Miami Open 2R (Singles) | – | Karen Khachanov | LOSS | 6-7, 0-6 |
| 2025 Washington Open (Doubles) | Gael Monfils | Edouard Roger-Vasselin/Hugo Nys | LOSS | 2-6, 2-6 |
But what has Kyrgios said about his physical health heading into the Battle of the Sexes match?
Nick Kyrgios’ positive knee injury update
Last month, Kyrgios shared a positive update on his knee injury, which had troubled him all year.
“I don’t know what’s changed with my knee,” said Kyrgios.
“Something in the last month, I don’t know what it is. I was with my masseuse and physio last night, and something really has changed with my knee.
“It’s not swelling. It’s not feeling bad after a session.”
“I don’t know whether to call it a miracle or anything, but my knee feels like it’s gotten younger by a couple of years.”
Only time will tell if Kyrgios’ body will hold up for the Battle of the Sexes match, but you certainly won’t want to miss it.
Kyrgios will play Sabalenka in Dubai on Sunday, December 28.
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