Sabalenka on Facing Kyrgios: Try My Best to Kick His Ass

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, September 4, 2025
Photo credit: Cincinnati Open Facebook

NEW YORK—Aryna Sabalenka has a main mission when she faces Nick Kyrgios.

Beat his backside.

After reigning US Open champion Sabalenka defeated Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to advance to her third consecutive US Open final on Thursday night, she was asked about her upcoming Battle of the Sexes exhibition match against Kyrgios which is scheduled for Asia before the Australian Open.

Sabalenka said her goal is simple.

“It’s going to be fun, especially against someone like Nick,” Sabalenka said. “Like he said in another interview, that I genuinely think that I’m going to win, and I’ll definitely go out there, and I’ll try
my best to kick his ass.”

Sabalenka said the site of the exhibition match hasn’t yet been determined.

“It’s gonna be good thing if I’ll be able to win him, but for now, we are not sure about the
place,” Sabalenka said. “But definitely if we’re going to bring it, we’re going to bring it to somewhere where it’s going to be a lot of people watching, and we’re gonna put a lot of pressure on Nick.”