Kyrgios vs Sabalenka live: Latest scores from Battle of the Sexes tennis exhibition match

Legendary tennis star Billie Jean King says the upcoming “battle of the sexes” between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will be “completely different” than the one she experienced with Bobby Riggs in the 1970s.

“The only similarity is that one is a boy and the other is a girl. That’s it,” the 82-year-old told reporters. BBC Sport.

“Everything else, no. Our games are about social change; culturally speaking, where we were in 1973. This one is not. I hope it’s a good game – obviously, I hope Sabalenka wins – but this is different.

“My campaign is really political. It’s tough, culturally speaking, that comes with it. I know I have to beat him to achieve social change. I have a lot of reasons to win.”

“Getting to know her, she’s definitely a character,” Kyrgios said a few months ago. “I’m really excited about it. I think she’s the type of player who really thinks she’s going to win.

“she [Sabalenka] It won’t defeat me. Do you really think I have to try 100%? I’ll give it a try. Because I represent the men’s team. I would say maybe 6-2.

“I’m not going to go out there and say, ‘Oh, she’s so good, I can’t play this.'” That would make me look bad. I imagined the internet would go crazy – go crazy.

“I mean, our serves, women can’t really hit back,” Kyrgios also claimed. “Then we can just chip and lob. I think I’ll be fine. I’m going to go out there and I don’t want her to win. That’s for sure.”

The Australian has struggled with injuries and fitness issues over the past three years and has dropped to 673rd in the world rankings, but the 30-year-old will compete in the ATP 250 event in Brisbane the week before the Australian Open and the Kooyang Classic in Melbourne.

However, Kyrgios is relying on a wildcard entry into the first Grand Slam of the season at Melbourne Park as he no longer has a protected ranking.

Tournament organizer Evolve agency, which represents both players, confirmed that the side of the court Sabalenka will defend will be 9 percent smaller than a standard court.

Here’s a rundown of the full set of revised rules for the controversial exhibition:

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