“It’s an interesting comment from someone who has moulded their entire game about me" - Kyrgios fires back at Bublik around comments on Battle of the Sexes

Nick Kyrgios has responded to comments made by Alexander Bublik in the wake of the controversial Battle of the Sexes clash against Aryna Sabalenka, in which he won.

The Aussie is looking to get back to being a regular on the ATP Tour with three years plagued with injuries and setbacks, resulting in the former Wimbledon finalist falling away down the rankings with appearances at big events becoming rare.

He has featured a lot more in recent exhibition tournaments as he looks to finally get back to competing regularly. His return was marked with a brace of losses against Ben Shelton in the Atlanta Cup and Tommy Paul in the Garden Cup in December. He also made the trip to India to feature in a number of doubles matches in the World Tennis League. Representing the Kites, Kyrgios helped them win the overall tournament.

But the most recent match has been something that has been under severe scrutiny from many tennis fans and pundits, commenting on their disapproval of the event. Kyrgios and world number one Sabalenka took to the court in Dubai, with Kyrgios, as expecting, comfortably won 6-3, 6-3.

Back in September, the Kazakhstani was asked about the Battle of the Sexes sat down with Kyrgios on First&Red. On it, Bublik stated: “I would not choose you to represent the men’s side.”

After the conclusion to the Battle of the Sexes, Kyrgios came out and told the press what he really thought of those comments. “It’s an interesting comment from someone who has moulded their entire game about me," he said. “I mean, we are all thinking it. Someone had to say it."

Despite this, he went out to praise Bublik for a tremendous 2025. With four titles on, only Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have collected more throughout the year as he rises to a career-high 11th int he world, on the cusp of debuting in the top 10. "Bublik is a great friend of mine. And let me start by saying to see him and how well he has done the last year has been incredible to see," he praised. “I have always known that he had the ability to do these amazing things and achieve these amazing things."

After saying his compliments, he went back to discussing the comment stated, unveiling that he is no the only person to say this to him. “But look, Bublik, and let me tell you there have been some players messaging me day in and day out saying that you are representing us," he said. "It was serious pressure. Bublik was not the only one. I’m not going to mention names because they have been harassing me for days and weeks!"

He even hinted at Bublik being the next male tennis player to participate in this format. "But it was tough. It was not easy. Bublik is next! You go next!”

While their friendship may still be intact, a lot of fans have turned their backs on Kyrgios and Sabalenka after the Battle of the Sexes. It was a format first created in 1973, most famously portraying a historic moment in tennis when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs with around 90 million people watching on. While this did wonders for the women's right movement and gender equality in sport, people today fear that the recent clash between Sabalenka and Kyrgios may have reversed some of those positive effects.

Now that is behind him, Kyrgios will be looking at a return to the ATP Tour. Despite concerns over his fitness, he will lineup in the Brisbane International taking place from January 5-11 before another exhibition is on the cards, this time in the Kooyong Tennis Classic, being played out just ahead of the Australian Open, in which Kyrgios' involvement is not clear.