Kyrgios admits pressure ahead of 'Battle of the Sexes' match against Sabalenka

As confident as he is about defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the so-called Battle of the Sexes next month, Nick Kyrgios admits to feeling a bit of pressure.

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Top-ranked Sabalenka and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios earlier this week confirmed the date and venue — Dec. 28 in Dubai — for the “Battle of the Sexes” tennis exhibition.

“I was in Hong Kong recently and a lot of the male players were like, ‘Look, you're representing all of us. So here I am in the firing line again,” Kyrgios told Australian Associated Press on Friday.

“I'm not a stranger to taking the heat from the media, but I'm excited whatever the result may be.

“I'm going to go out there and show the world that as good as she is, she’s got some weaknesses.”

The name of the Sabalenka-Kyrgios exhibition was borrowed from the 1973 match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs - which King won in straight sets in the Houston Astrodome.

Kyrgios, who has played only six tour-level matches in the last three years because of wrist and knee injuries, said he'd be hitting toward a smaller side of the court — almost 10% smaller than what Sabalenka will be aiming at — giving him less room to hit winners.