"Not many males in my position would have done that and taken the opportunity" - Kyrgios believes few men would compete against top female players

After all the chatter and discussion, the Battle of the Sexes is soon set to take place between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka. Despite all the controversy surrounding it, Kyrgios is relishing competing in the event as he goes on to say that not many male players would face the best women in the world.

The match is set to take place on December 28 at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai. The two have been commenting a lot on the upcoming tie, with both offering fighting talk and confidence in their ability to win.

The match has seen a whole host of stick and criticism towards it, and the two tennis players. There is a huge concern about the two facing off against each other, and that is despite the handicaps Sabalenka gets. Her side of the court will be 9% smaller, while Kyrgios is only allowed to utilise one serve throughout. The world number one also goes into the exhibition event a lot more sharper and competitive than her opponent. She has been regularly competing at the top of the WTA Circuit throughout 2025. She made three Grand Slam finals, winning the US Open, while also coming runner-up to Elena Rybakina in her last WTA match in the WTA Finals. Compared to Kyrgios who has had a handful of exhibitions competed alongside the Belarusian after a season plagued by more injuries.

Both players are brimming with confidence ahead of when they lock horns on the court. The Aussie is raring to go. "I think my chances are really high. I'm very confident in my ability," Kyrgios stated while competing in the World Tennis League.

He unveiled the nerves he is feeling ahead of the clash. "It's going to be fun, but also I'm a bit nervous. I like doing things that are outside the box. Honestly, not many males in my position would have done that and taken the opportunity."

Kyrgios is not a stranger to the spotlight for all the wrong reasons having been involved in a number of controversies in his career. The Battle of the Sexes just seems to be the next one on the list. With all the speculation surrounding the clash, the former Wimbledon finalist is unsure of the upcoming events. "I don't know what's going to happen, we'll see," he added. "I've been in a lot of controversies in my whole career and this is another thing I get to experience."

Kyrgios is starting to ramp up the preparation. While his season has been dominated by spells on the sidelines after a brace of failed comebacks at the start of the year and halfway through it, he is finally getting a decent spell on the court. Alongside Sabalenka, he competed in a brace of exhibition events in the USA. The first one was at the Atlanta Cup where he succumbed to defeat against the talented Ben Shelton. He followed this up closely after with another defeat in the Garden Cup to the hands of another American, this time Tommy Paul who has also had injury problems.

He has now traversed to India to take part in the World Tennis League. He is participating in the Kites team alongside Marta Kostyuk, with the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Gael Monfils, Paula Badosa and Elina Svitolina also featuring in Bengaluru. He has competed in a brace of double matches, losing both of them as he awaits his first victory since returning to the sport. This could come in the Battle of the Sexes against the world number one.