Aryna Sabalenka is pushing herself to the highest in an exhibition match in opposition to Nick Kyrgios at ‘Battle of the Sexes’ by experiencing the unknown in Dubai.
The ladies’s world primary will face Australian maverick Kyrgios on Sunday in a reenactment of probably the most well-known tennis matches in historical past, when Billie Jean King defeated Bobby Riggs on the Houston Astrodome in 1973.
In three-set matches, every participant will likely be restricted to at least one serve, the scale of Sabalenka’s court docket will likely be lowered by 9 %, and modified guidelines will likely be adopted that may embody a 10-point tiebreak if obligatory.
The Coca-Cola Area rivals acknowledge Sabalenka is moving into unfamiliar territory, however are assured in her possibilities and can droop their off-court camaraderie for the day.
When requested who would win, the 27-year-old four-time Grand Slam champion rapidly replied:
“This occasion is de facto unpredictable. You by no means know what is going on to occur. That is what I like about it, the sensation of chasing whenever you play a sport.”
“I like to problem myself and it is a large problem, particularly going up in opposition to Nick, an unpredictable and loopy man.
“That is nice coaching for me and a fantastic message to the ladies. I need them to see how sturdy and hard I’m by taking part in in opposition to the boys.”
Kyrgios has been restricted to only 5 singles matches this yr as a result of accidents, his most up-to-date match being in March, and the 30-year-old is presently ranked 673rd on the planet.
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“I’ve seen some fairly scary opponents previously. I am effectively outfitted and I do know Area has some highly effective weapons at her disposal,” Kyrgios stated.
“However I got here right here ready. Anybody who is aware of me is aware of how unpredictable I’m, however I am as ready as I may be. I really feel like I’ll win.”
“I’ve by no means received a Grand Slam, however I’ve misplaced in a Grand Slam last. That is fully completely different and you do not know how your physique and thoughts will react.
“It is a fully completely different power. I am positively going to convey one thing completely different. My power has at all times been unpredictability, even on the boys’s tour.
“Gamers like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal have struggled to know methods to play with me at sure instances, as a result of even I do not know what I’ll do at sure instances.
“I’ll convey one thing she’s by no means seen earlier than. I’ll play a mode of tennis that I do know is efficient.”
