Follow us on Google Discover Aryna Sabalenka is hoping to elicit some support from Novak Djokovic ahead of her Battle of the Sexes match against Nick Kyrgios.
Sabalenka confirmed she would play Kyrgios in Dubai later this year, in a match that is being labelled the ‘Battle of the Sexes’.
There has been a lot of discussion around this match, with Kyrgios revealing that other ATP players have messaged him.
However, Sabalenka is hoping that she can now get 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic on side to help her beat Kyrgios.
Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty ImagesAryna Sabalenka explains why she wants Novak Djokovic to coach her vs Nick Kyrgios
Sabalenka and Djokovic have developed a friendship in recent years, and the WTA number one has even been given advice from the Serbian.
After a tricky relationship to begin with, Djokovic has also become close to Kyrgios and may have conflicting feelings about the upcoming Battle of the Sexes match.
Despite this, Sabalenka told The National that she is hoping to have Djokovic coaching her against Kyrgios, and revealed the conversations that have been had.
“I really hope to bring him [Djokovic] into my box and be my coach just to put an extra pressure on Nick,” said Sabalenka. “I already told Nick, like, ‘Nick, you know what, Novak is really helping me, with the tactics and everything’.
“Which his reply was like, ‘Well, he always struggled with me’. But I was like, ‘But he always won. So, you know what? Probably you’re going to struggle against me as well’. So I really hope that I’ll be able to pull out my best tennis and just put Nick in a very uncomfortable situation.”
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Despite Sabalenka’s claim that Djokovic always wins, Kyrgios actually leads the head-to-head against the former world number one 2-1.
However, their most recent and most famous meeting saw Djokovic beat Kyrgios in the Wimbledon final.
Aryna Sabalenka explains why she is glad to play Nick Kyrgios over other ATP players
Although there is a lot of excitement around this upcoming match, Sabalenka and Djokovic’s match has drawn some criticism.
When discussing why she decided to agree to play the Battle of the Sexes match, Sabalenka suggested that she only wanted to play Kyrgios as he has not been very active on the ATP Tour this year.
“First of all, it’s going to be a great show,” responded Sabalenka. “And I feel like Nick is a showman in a way. I’m happy with my opponent.
“And I feel like if I would play against someone who’s been playing on tour, has matches in his back, I would probably, not have that much of a chance. And against Nick, I feel like there is something that I can keep up with.”
Despite not playing a singles match since March, Kyrgios has provided a major fitness update ahead of their upcoming match.
Sabalenka will take on Kyrgios in the Battle of the Sexes match in Dubai on Sunday, December 28.