Overview
- Nick Kyrgios says male players told him he is “representing all of us,” adding he feels pressure yet remains confident for the Dec. 28 exhibition in Dubai.
- Aryna Sabalenka frames the matchup as a responsibility for women’s tennis and calls it a “win-win” for her and “lose-lose” for Kyrgios.
- Organisers confirmed modified rules: two sets with a first-to-10 tiebreak if needed, a court roughly 9% smaller on Sabalenka’s side for Kyrgios to hit into, and one serve per point for both.
- Kyrgios, currently ranked No. 652 after wrist and knee injuries limited him to six tour-level matches in three years, says he will respect Sabalenka’s game but seek to exploit perceived weaknesses.
- Sabalenka has said she hopes to have Novak Djokovic in her box as a coaching presence to unsettle Kyrgios, while both players are also slated for separate Dec. 8 New York exhibitions (Sabalenka vs. Naomi Osaka, Kyrgios vs. Tommy Paul).