Aryna Sabalenka recently addressed what she openly called a “tricky question” during a promotional interview leading up to her Battle of the Sexes exhibition with Nick Kyrgios, where she and the Aussie face off in a high-profile clash.
The World No. 1 spoke candidly when pressed about the broader debate surrounding transgender participation in women’s sports, and Kyrgios quickly reinforced her viewpoint.
Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios Lead a Modern Revival of the Billie Jean King–Bobby Riggs’ 1973 Battle of the Sexes Showdown
The pair are in the middle of a global exhibition tour ahead of the showcase at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, which aims to revive the cultural impact of the iconic 1973 Billie Jean King versus Bobby Riggs matchup. The original match became a cultural touchstone in the fight for gender equality in sports, and its modern-day rendition arrives at a moment when policy decisions and competitive landscapes are evolving rapidly.
Sabalenka enters the exhibition as the dominant force atop women’s tennis, while Kyrgios, though currently working his way back from injury setbacks, continues to draw crowds with his personality and unpredictable shot-making.
What Key Opinions Did Sabalenka and Kyrgios Share During Their Sit-Down With Piers Morgan?
During their sit-down with British broadcaster Piers Morgan, the conversation turned serious when Morgan referenced tennis legend Martina Navratilova’s position against allowing transgender women to compete in WTA events. He then asked Sabalenka if she agreed.
Sabalenka responded, “Well, that’s a tricky question. I have nothing to do against them, but I feel like they still got a huge advantage over the women. And I think it’s just not fair to a woman to basically face biological men. And then it’s not fair. The woman’s been working her whole life to reach her limit, and then she has to face a man, which is biologically much stronger. So for me, I don’t agree with this kind of stuff in sport.”
Morgan turned to Kyrgios afterward, and the Australian star kept it concise, saying, “Yeah, I feel the exact same way.”
Their appearance followed the Garden Cup, held at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 8. At the exhibition event, the World No. 1 beat Naomi Osaka, while Kyrgios fell against Tommy Paul. Osaka and the Aussie then teamed up to beat the other duo in mixed doubles.
Before their stint in New York, they also competed at the Atlanta Cup, held on Dec. 6, 2025, where Sabalenka again overcame the fellow four-time Grand Slam champion. On the men’s side, American tennis star Ben Shelton defeated Kyrgios. Sabalenka later joined Shelton for a mixed doubles victory over Osaka and Kyrgios.
