Sabalenka wants another shot after Nick Kyrgios beat her in Dubai’s Battle of the Sexes.
The world number one has publicly framed the loss as a learning moment, teased format tweaks for a rematch and set up a storyline that could steal a bit of the Brisbane International spotlight away from the usual tournament chatter.
Sabalenka Targets Kyrgios Rematch
The Dubai meeting ended with Kyrgios victorious by 6-3, 6-3, a tidy scoreline that still left Sabalenka public about wanting more. The exhibition tweaked court dimensions, making for a slightly different contest than a regular tour match.
Organisers reduced Sabalenka’s side of the court by 9 per cent to account for speed and movement differences, and the world number one said she would change that for a future meeting. She also mooted alterations to service allowances to rebalance a mixed-gender contest.
I think I would definitely do it again.
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka framed the loss as useful experience, saying that when you lose you learn and that she picked up specific intel about Kyrgios. “I always say that when you are losing you are learning and I learned a lot about his game,” she told reporters.
On format changes she was specific about what might level things up, suggesting she would abandon the reduced court and tweak serving privileges instead, arguing that service allowances could make the contest fairer without shrinking the playing surface.
She put that plan plainly. “I would keep the full court but I would take two serves. That would even our level a lot more,” Sabalenka said, folding tactical intention into what otherwise reads like a simple request for fairness.
Sabalenka was also pleased with how much she made Kyrgios work physically and mentally, and she wished him well in Brisbane despite wanting revenge. “I am happy that I was able to challenge him, make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally get tired,” she said.
Exhibitions, Entertainment and Support
Rising star Mirra Andreeva offered public support for Sabalenka’s decision to play the event, praising the confidence and entertainment value even while admitting she had only seen highlights of the clash. That kind of peer backing helps keep the moment lively for fans and players alike.
“I didn’t watch it but I saw some highlights and I think she did great,” Andreeva said, noting Nick’s flair and showman instincts make him an unusual opponent. She added that the match was entertaining and that Sabalenka’s performance was important exposure for women’s tennis.
Exhibitions are increasingly part of the pre-Australian Open calendar, with stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz set to play in South Korea on January 10 as warm-up entertainment. Sabalenka argued such events keep tennis fresh and let fans enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
What’s Next At Brisbane And Beyond
Sabalenka is defending her Brisbane International title and has publicly said she hopes Kyrgios makes the most of a wildcard into the event. “I really hope he will do well here in Brisbane and play incredible tennis in the Australian Open,” she said, balancing rivalry with goodwill.
Kyrgios arrived in Dubai with an unconventional recent record, having fallen outside the ATP top 600 after limited play, yet he still managed to produce the result that makes a rematch tempting. That contrast between ranking and spectacle is part of Kyrgios’s enduring allure.
Whether organisers take Sabalenka’s suggestion of two serves seriously, or if they keep experimenting with format, the result is the same: exhibitions are creating headlines and feeding narratives players want to chase. For Sabalenka, revenge is a tidy motivator and good copy for fans.
Expect the social media takeaways to revolve around the scoreline and the tweaks to format, especially if Sabalenka follows up her stated intent to adjust the match rules. Either way, a rematch would be must-see television and a nice prelude to hard-court season intrigue.
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Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
