Sabalenka credits ‘Battle of the Sexes’ tennis match for ‘great fitness’

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesJanuary 6, 2026 at 07:36 AM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

Aryna Sabalenka credits a "Battle of the Sexes" exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios for improving her fitness ahead of the Grand Slam season. The world number one believes the match helped her increase the intensity of her game. Sabalenka demonstrated her improved form by defeating Cristina Bucsa at the Brisbane International in Australia on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. She won the match in just 48 minutes, showcasing the power she gained from the exhibition. Sabalenka believes the match against Kyrgios, held in Dubai on December 28, was a valuable challenge that also brought attention to tennis. She is now preparing for the Australian Open, where she aims to win her third title in four years.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Queensland 30% Dubai 30% Spain 30% Cristina Bucsa 40% Melbourne 40% Brisbane International 50% Australia 50% Battle of the Sexes ×260% Nick Kyrgios ×470% Australian Open ×270% Aryna Sabalenka ×690%

Keywords

tennis 100% aryna sabalenka 90% battle of the sexes 90% fitness 80% nick kyrgios 80% australian open 70% exhibition match 70% intensity 60% tournament 50% power game 50%