“I would do it with someone else. He lost trust" - Nick Kyrgios set to be dumped for next Battle of the Sexes installment for bizarre reason

At the end of 2025, the tennis was quietly brewing a comeback Down Under. Aside from the odd exhibition, it was relatively quiet. That was aside from all the commotion surrounding Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios' Battle of the Sexes contest. Despite the contentious nature viewed by many, the World No.1 would want to try and seek her revenge, but this time not against Kyrgios.

The Battle of the Sexes is most famous for Billie Jean King's heroics back in 1973 where she defeated Bobby Riggs in straight sets in a best of five contest. This match was watched by millions around the world and was a huge step forward for women's rights in sports in a period where King was spearheading her own movement in tennis.

There have been four of these contests where a man takes on a woman on court. The latest came in Dubai of December 2025 as Sabalenka took on Kyrgios. The Belarusian had the advantage on court. Her side of the court was 9% smaller than her opponents while the 31-year-old could only utilise one serve.

Despite the rules that were implemented to favour Sabalenka, the four-time Grand Slam champion was still comfortably beaten by a Kyrgios who was not match fit and still struggling with injuries in a 6-3, 6-3 result.

Following proceedings, Sabalenka was quick to outline her revenge and intended to get back on court against the Aussie. However, in a recent interview with Time Magazine, she is no longer fancying Kyrgios as her opponent on court. “Nick was so tight, so he couldn’t really bring some fun,” she said. “I would do it with someone else. He lost trust.”

The article also stated that she would be willing to eradicate the court size advantage she had last time out while also confirming her want for a different opponent. It is yet to be seen if the Battle of the Sexes will have another installment and who Sabalenka will next take on.

According to the magazine, she refused to elaborate on anymore details or why else she would not want to join Kyrgios on court.

Earlier in the interview, she was also asked about her emotional state on court and the passion that comes with it.

On the big stage, Sabalenka can show signs of frustration and anger at times when stuff if not going her way. After trying to find the best solution to controlling herself, she realises that it is better out than in and that is why these outbursts sometime come out.

“I will never be completely in control,” she commented. “When I hold that negativity inside, it keeps growing, growing, growing, growing. It destroys you from the inside to the point that you don’t have any energy and power to compete and to fight. So I’ve found it really helpful to just yell something. I have to release it.”

She stated an interesting idea about having a private room players could go to and smash their rackets away from the public eye. “Between the sets, you just go to that room, you let it go, and you come back as a new person,” she suggested.

Sabalenka is two different people on and off the court. While her competitive spirit is unleashed in front of the packed stands in the biggest tournaments on the WTA Tour, she can also express a lot of joy and radiate passion away from it. For example, her physiotherapist, Helen Murawska, once was trying to schedule an MRI before a party occurred.

“She’s like half-­limping, and then suddenly the tequila’s flowing and she’s dancing on a table,” Murawska recalled. “I was like, ‘I’m just going to put my blinkers on for this. Let her enjoy it.’”

Sabalenka is now set to compete in the Cincinnati Open. The 2024 champion is looking for a first title since the Miami Open. Since that Sunshine double, she has reached just one semi-final at the Berlin Ladies Open in a barren spell by her high standards. Back on hardcourt, her favourite surface, the Canadian Open did not go to plan but here is another chance for glory. She will take on the winner of Lilli Tagger or Talia Gibson in the second round.