The WTA number 1 against the current 625 ATP. Him: “I’ll win 6-2 without giving 100%.” But in 1973 Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs 6-4 6-3 6-3
He takes it (apparently) lightly: “Let’s do it, Saba, come on.” She taunts him: “You better come prepared.” The first exchange between Nick and Aryna is already crackling, and we haven’t even gotten there yet on the tennis court. It is on social media that the two announce it, in a joint post: the battle of the sexes will really take place. Appointment set at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai, December 28th.
SAFETY
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Initially, the match between Kyrgios and Sabalenka was supposed to be held in Hong Kong, and the Australian had already launched his provocation regarding the match a couple of months ago: “I will win 6-2 without giving 100%”. And Bublik, who Nick was chatting with at the time, replied: “Well, it’s funny that you actually think you can beat her.” In fact, it’s funny that all this confidence characterizes the world number 652, who this year has only played five matches, winning only one (in Miami, against McDonald). On the other hand, however, there is the Belarusian number one in the world, winner of the US Open this year and finalist at the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
RESPECT
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– Kyrgios and Sabalenka have the same agent, and reported declarations of mutual respect when the match was announced: “When the number one in the world challenges you, answer the call” said Nick, “I have great respect for her: she is a true champion. I have never backed down from a challenge, and I will not be in Dubai just to play, but also to have fun”. Instead, the Belarusian said: “He is talented, I am ready to give my best. And I am proud to represent women’s tennis and be part of the modern interpretation of that iconic match.”
LIKE RIGGS AND BJK
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The reference is obviously to the battle of the sexes of 1973, when the 55-year-old former tennis player Bobby Riggs, after beating the then world number 1 Margaret Court in a first edition with a comfortable 6-2 6-1, raised the stakes by also challenging Billie Jean King, at that time in second place in the rankings. That was the match that enjoyed real relevance on a national level: there were 90 million Americans connected on television, and BJK prevailed after even competing in the best of five sets. It ended 6-4 6-3 6-3 for the tennis player who forcefully entered the history of the women’s tennis movement. The Davis Cup on the WTA circuit today bears his name.
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