Yevgeny Kafelnikov says if he thinks he could beat Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes match

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Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios closed out the 2025 tennis season in style…

In one of the most talked-about matches of the year, Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3 in Dubai.

A re-imagination of Billie Jean King’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match with Bobby Riggs from 1973 was met with mixed reviews.

Some enjoyed the spectacle, while others slammed the event, criticising its impact on the women’s game.

What was your opinion on the Battle of the Sexes match?

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There was, however, talk of a rematch between Sabalenka and Kyrgios.

It seems likely that we will see another ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in the future, but perhaps Sabalenka will take on someone else.

During the latest episode of ‘Hardcourt‘, former world number one Yevgeny Kafelnikov suggested whether he believed he could beat Sabalenka.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov admits he would lose to Aryna Sabalenka

Kafelnikov, 52, was under no illusion that he’d beat the current WTA number one.

“I’m 52, I wouldn’t win games now,” said Kafelnikov.

“I can’t run, I can’t keep up the pace.”

Kafelnikov was one of the best players of his generation, winning two of his three Grand Slam finals.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov’s Grand Slam final record

• 1996 French Open F [WIN] vs Michael Stich
• 1999 Australian Open F [WIN] vs Thomas Enqvist
• 2000 French Open F [LOSS] vs Andre Agassi

The Russian knows he would stand no chance against Sabalenka today, but he doesn’t think any active male player would have much trouble beating her.

“It’s all happened now, it’s a thing of the past, but I think there’s no need to discuss at all what the chances are for a woman to beat a man,” said Kafelnikov.

“A woman, by definition, has no chance, even against a guy ranked 1,000 or 2,000th in the world.”

With that in mind, Kafelnikov questioned the impact Kyrgios’ win over Sabalenka could have on the women’s game.

“Many people are seeing Nick Kyrgios, who is practically no longer active on the men’s tour, playing against the world number one tennis player,” he said.

“I’m not saying this is good or bad, I’m just asking what kind of conversations might come out of this.”

Perhaps Kafelnikov is right to ask the question, as it’s not a great look when Kyrgios, the world number 671, defeats Sabalenka in straight sets.

You can bring one tennis legend out of retirement. Who do you pick and why?

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Especially when the rules of the match favored the Belarusian…

However, while Sabalenka ended 2025 with a defeat, she soon returned to winning ways.

Aryna Sabalenka makes perfect start to 2026

The world number one brushed off the criticism with an exceptional performance at the Brisbane International.

Defending the title she won a year ago, Sabalenka didn’t drop a single set.

Aryna Sabalenka at the 2026 Brisbane International

• 2026 Brisbane International 2R [WIN] vs Cristina Bucsa, 6-0, 6-1
• 2026 Brisbane International 3R [WIN] vs Sorana Cirstea, 6-3, 6-3
• 2026 Brisbane International QF [WIN] vs Madison Keys, 6-3, 6-3
• 2026 Brisbane International SF [WIN] vs Karolina Muchova, 6-3, 6-4
• 2026 Brisbane International F [WIN] vs Marta Kostyuk, 6-4, 6-3

Sabalenka will now turn her attention to the Australian Open, an event she won in 2023 and 2024.

If she can reclaim her Australian Open crown, she’d take third place for herself in the list of active women’s Grand Slam singles champions.

List of ‘active’ Grand Slam women’s singles champions

She is currently tied in third with Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

Only time will tell if Sabalenka can add another Grand Slam title to her collection in Melbourne, but you certainly won’t want to miss any of the action.

The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.