Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has fired back at women's world number one Aryna Sabalenka after she said she would try to 'kick his ass' in a possible Battle of the Sexes match.
The outspoken Kyrgios has struggled with injuries all season, and has not played a singles match since the Miami Open back in March.
But with a return to the court on the horizon, he appears determined to play Sabalenka.
Although the match is still yet to be confirmed, both players seem determined to make it happen.
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Speaking after her US Open semi-final win over Jessica Pegula, Sabalenka did not hold back when she was asked about the potential match.
The 2025 US Open finalist said: "I'll definitely go out there and try my best to kick his ass.
"I think it's a cool idea. It's going to be spectacular to watch. It's going to be fun, especially against someone like Nick. Like he said in another interview, I genuinely think I’m going to win."
Her comments quickly went viral online, prompting a response from Kyrgios, who wrote on X: "ALRIGHT NO PRISONERS."
Now, the Australian tennis star has called out Sabalenka once again on social media.
He replied to an Instagram post that quoted Sabalenka saying "I'll try my best to kick hiss ass," and wrote: "Patiently waiting....."
And on Wednesday morning, he again took to Instagram and posted a photograph of himself and Sabalenka, captioned: "The clash of the titans is coming........."
The post only added to the speculation, with fans now wondering whether the game is set to be officially announced.
In a recent podcast with fellow tennis Alexander Bublik, Kyrgios made it clear that he expects the match to go ahead and is not worried about the result.
He added: "Do you really think I have to try 100 per cent? I'm gonna try. Because I'm representing the men's side… I’d say like 6-2 maybe.
"Our serves, like women can’t return and then we can just like chip and like drop shot."
If it happens, it would be the fourth 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown.
The first, in May 1973 saw Bobby Riggs defeat 24-time major winner Margaret Court.
Court was just returning from having a baby and lost 6-2, 6-1.
Later that year, Riggs famously lost to Billie Jean King 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
In 1992, the third Battle of the Sexes game took place with Jimmy Connors defeating Martina Navratilova 7-5, 6-2.
Over 30 years on, tennis could be set for another famous showdown, with January 2026 rumoured as a potential month for the game.
Whether the clash between Kyrgios and Sabalenka actually happens remains to be seen, with both players pushing for the match, it feels inevitable.
Topics: Nick Kyrgios, Tennis
James Taylor