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Kyrgios Confirms January 2026 'Battle of the Sexes' vs. Sabalenka, Dismisses Her Chances

His boasts drew swift online criticism, raising fresh doubts about his fitness to play.

Overview

  • The exhibition is planned for early January 2026 in Hong Kong, according to multiple reports.
  • Speaking with Alexander Bublik on a podcast, Kyrgios said Sabalenka "won't" beat him, predicted a 6-2 scoreline, and claimed he would not need to play at 100%.
  • Kyrgios said organisers plan rule tweaks, including a smaller service box and no second serves, though those details have not been independently confirmed.
  • Fans on social media condemned his remarks as arrogant and sexist, shifting attention from promotion to backlash.
  • Kyrgios has not played a match since March and withdrew from Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the US Open, while Sabalenka enters the exhibition as the reigning world No. 1 and recent US Open semifinalist.