Sabalenka desires retribution and a rerun of the Battle of the Sexes

In a widely reported match last Sunday in Dubai, Australia's Kyrgios defeated the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3, under altered regulations that caused controversy among spectators.

In an effort to limit Kyrgios' speed and power advantage Sabalenka's side of the court was shrunk by 9% and each player was only given one serve.

As she gets ready for the Australian Open on January 18 she stated "I think I would definitely do it again" prior to her season-opening competition the Brisbane International.

"I love revenge and I don't like to leave it the way it is."

Sabalenka stated that she would like a full court and two serves even though she was eager to play Kyrgios once more.

"I think for the next match we will come up with a different format" she stated.

"I didn't understand I would need to adapt before the game, and I found it to be a little challenging. I would take two serves, but I believe I would keep the entire court. That would raise our level much further.

"I always say that when you are losing, you are learning and I learnt a lot about his game," she said. "I'd do it once more. I must have my retribution.

The competition was very different from the historic "Battle of the Sexes" match between Bobby Riggs and Billie Jean King in 1973.

The fledgling women's professional circuit which King had established was fighting for credibility at the time and the prize money for female players was significantly less than that for male players.

The 55 year old Riggs a top player in his day lost to King one of the greatest women's tennis players of all time 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in Houston.

There was criticism of the Sabalenka-Kyrgios match, with some calling it a "money grab" and others claiming it accomplished little to improve the women's sport.

However Sabalenka stated that she thought exhibition tennis such as the Kyrgios competition was crucial.

"I think it's really important for tennis to keep it interesting, keep it fresh, keep it new, keep it fun," she stated.

Despite Kyrgios' poor performance in recent years and low ranking of 671, she continued, she was pleased of her role in the "Battle of the Sexes".

"I am happy that I was able to challenge him, make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally get tired," she stated.

The sight of a man growing weary and giving it his all thrilled me. It was a truly amazing experience.

After winning the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024 Sabalenka is aiming for a third title when the Brisbane International begins on Sunday. Madison Keys defeated her in last year's Melbourne Park final.