Whether Aryna Sabalenka faces her archrivals Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek or any other player on tour, the Belarusian star has never flinched. One victory away from clinching her fourth Grand Slam title, Sabalenka oozed confidence about a unique upcoming clash against Nick Kyrgios. The world No. 1’s statement, delivered with her trademark boldness, was enough to put any rival on notice.
How Will Aryna Sabalenka Handle Her Battle of the Sexes Showdown Against Nick Kyrgios?
Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and defending champion, reached her third straight US Open final by beating No. 4 seed Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals. In doing so, she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach all four Grand Slam semifinals in the same year. However, the headlines surrounding her current form weren’t just limited to this historic achievement.
The WTA star also confirmed her participation in an upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition against Kyrgios. Despite facing someone who has defeated the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, the Belarusian star showed no signs of fear in her statement. When asked about her approach toward the match, she said:
“I think it’s a cool idea. I think it’s gonna be spectacular to watch, it’s gonna be fun, especially against someone like Nick. And I’ll definitely try my best to go out there and kick his a**. It’s gonna be a good thing if I’ll be able to beat him.”
Sabalenka on her upcoming Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios
Aryna: “I’ll definitely go out there, and I’ll try my best to kick his ass”
“Is it a good thing for women’s tennis?”
Aryna: It’s gonna be good thing if I’ll be able to beat him.”
(via US Open Press) pic.twitter.com/STDYhmW7jk
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 5, 2025
Adding to the intrigue, Sabalenka revealed plans to maximize the psychological pressure. “But for now, we are not sure about the place. But we’re gonna bring it to somewhere, where its gonna be a lot of people watching and we’re gonna put a lot of pressure on Nick.”
After the victory over Pegula, Sabalenka now prepares for the US Open final, where she’ll face an opponent determined to claim their first Grand Slam title.
What Does Aryna Sabalenka’s Historic Run at the US Open Mean for Her Legacy?
Aryna Sabalenka’s path to the 2025 US Open final represents more than just another championship opportunity. With this semifinal victory, she became the first woman since Serena Williams in 2016 to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments in the same year, highlighting her constant presence at the top level of tennis.
The defending champion holds the world No. 1 ranking in women’s singles, a title she reclaimed in October 2024. As of August 2025, she has begun her 50th week at No. 1, making her the 14th woman in the Open Era to reach that milestone. She has spent 54 weeks at No. 1 across her career, with 46 consecutive. On July 17, 2025, she also became the first woman since Serena Williams (2015) to surpass 12,000 ranking points.
However, she now faces one final step toward glory in Saturday’s championship match. The American challenger could be a formidable opponent, as she eagerly seeks a major title breakthrough on home soil. With the crowd likely behind her opponent, Sabalenka must channel the same confidence she displayed when discussing her upcoming Battle of the Sexes clash.
The proposed exhibition match against Kyrgios, tentatively scheduled for Hong Kong in January 2026, promises to generate significant attention. Both players share the same management team, and the event would feature modified rules to level the playing field, including restrictions on Kyrgios’s serve and court dimensions.
