‘I need revenge’: Sabalenka targets Kyrgios rematch
Joel Gould |
Aryna Sabalenka has set her sights on getting one back on Nick Kyrgios in round two of the “Battle of the Sexes” showdown.
Sabalenka and Kyrgios did battle in Dubai on Sunday with the Australian winning 6-3 6-3 in a hard-fought contest.
“I think I would definitely do it again. I love revenge and I don’t like to leave it the way it is,” Sabalenka said on Thursday ahead of her Brisbane International defence.
Sabalenka’s side of the court was reduced in size by nine per cent in Dubai to reflect the movement and speed differences between men and women competitors, but the world No.1 said she would change that modification and the number of serves each player had.
“I think for the next match we will come up with a different format,” she said.
“Before the match I didn’t realise I would have to adjust and it was a bit tricky for me. I think I would keep the full court but I would take two serves. That would even our level a lot more.
“I always say that when you are losing you are learning and I learned a lot about his game. I know Nick as a player and a person better and I feel I know how to play against him. I would do it again. I need revenge.”
Sabalenka was proud of the way she made Kyrgios earn his victory in Dubai and wished him well at the Brisbane International where he has a wildcard entry.
“I am happy that I was able to challenge him, make him work and make him physically get tired and mentally get tired,” she said.
“I felt really excited to see a man getting tired and going for his full game. It was a really cool experience and I really hope he will do well here in Brisbane and play incredible tennis in the Australian Open.”
Rising tennis star Mirra Andreeva earlier voiced her support of Sabalenka’s decision to take on Kyrgios, expressing admiration for the Belarusian’s confidence and performance.
Andreeva, speaking ahead of the Brisbane International, was full of praise for Sabalenka, with whom she has already forged a developing rivalry.
“I didn’t watch it but I saw some highlights and I think she did great,” Andreeva said of Sabalenka’s display.
“It is never easy to play against a man and obviously Nick is also not just a normal man that hits the ball. He likes to do something on the court and is also a showman.
“She was pretty confident before the match. I saw all the interviews and she was saying, ‘I am going to beat him’. I thought Nick would win because he is a man but she did great and it was very entertaining for people to watch.
“It was good for her to win six games.”
Tennis stars Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are scheduled to play an exhibition match in South Korea on January 10 as a prelude to the Australian Open.
Sabalenka said exhibitions played a role in keeping tennis relevant to a wider cross-section of fans.
“I think it is really important for tennis to keep it interesting, keep it fresh and keep it fun,” she said.
“Usually when (fans) come and watch us in the tournaments or in the grand slams the rules are really strict for them. They have to sit quiet. They have to follow the rules.
“At exhibitions you can have fun, players and people in the crowd as well.”
AAP
