Nick Kyrgios is set to make a dramatic return to the court next month when he takes on Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes match.
Sabalenka has issued a warning to Kyrgios ahead of their clash, which is scheduled for Dubai at the end of December.
Kyrgios last played on the ATP Tour in July, when he took on the Washington doubles with Gael Monfils, where they lost their first match.
Prior to that, the Australian played singles at the Miami Open, winning once and losing once at the ATP Masters 1000 event.
The world number 652 has played just five singles matches and four doubles matches in 2025, having struggled for full fitness throughout the season.
What two male players have messaged Nick Kyrgios about his match with Aryna Sabalenka
His focus now turns to WTA number one Sabalenka, in what is a repeat of the inaugural Battle of the Sexes match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.
Kyrgios has now shared his take on the match, saying on talkSPORT: “I know that there is a lot of pressure.
“I have had a couple of male tennis players already message me saying that the pressure is on. The world is going to be watching.
“I am representing a lot of people and a lot of players. This is something that is going to be circled on my calendar and I’m going to be ready.”
And providing a fitness update as the contest nears, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up commented: “I feel amazing.
“I feel confident. I am able to train fully on the court now. It’s the best I’ve felt physically in a long, long time.”
Nick Kyrgios shares what his relationship with Aryna Sabalenka is like ahead of their match
Former player Rennae Stubbs has slammed the Battle of the Sexes match between Kyrgios and Sabalenka, but the ATP star has now defended the event.
He said of the criticism it has already received: “In whatever we do in today’s day and age there is always going to be negative noise.
“There is always going to be people trying to tear us down in a way. But I have the ultimate respect for Aryna, we have a good friendship.
“I think it’s done in a good way. We are just going to go out there and compete and at the end of the day we are entertainers and are going to have some fun.
“But we just want to play a hard match and that’s it. I am going to go out there and treat it like any other match. She is the number one player in the world, she is very capable.
“There is going to be millions of people watching this, if I don’t get a good start or if she breaks my serve early, it’s going to feel like the world is on my shoulders and even though mentally I am pretty much impeccable all the time, I might show some cracks!”
| Nick Kyrgios | Aryna Sabalenka | |
| 13 | Career-high rank | 1 |
| 7 | Titles | 21 |
| 0 | Grand Slams | 4 |
| 206 | Wins | 475 |
| 118 | Losses | 199 |
| $12,802,482 | Prize money | $42,480,621 |
Tennis fans will be eager for any and all entertainment they can get on the court, and this match should certainly offer that in abundance.
Kyrgios has always been a controversial figure off the court, but on his day his on-court actions speak for themselves.
He’s a real talent when free from injury, with that flair set to contrast perfectly with the will and desire of WTA star Sabalenka, and of course her superb ability.
Moreover, she will be desperate to win and prove herself against a male player, with her hard-hitting likely to give Kyrgios a scare or two.
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