Aryna Sabalenka, the world's top-ranked player, mentioned on Jan 1 that she's eager for a rematch against Nick Kyrgios in their Battle of the Sexes exhibition, aiming to settle the score.

Kyrgios of Australia defeated Sabalenka of Belarus 6-3, 6-3 during a match in Dubai on Dec 28 that got a lot of attention. The rules were changed, resulting in mixed reactions from viewers.

To try and reduce any advantage Kyrgios might have had in power and speed, Sabalenka’s side of the court was made smaller by nine percent. Also, each competitor only got one serve.

I’d definitely do it again, Sabalenka stated before the Brisbane International, which marks the start of her season as she gets ready for the Australian Open on Jan 18.

I want to even the score because I don’t like how things ended.

Sabalenka is looking forward to playing Kyrgios once more, but she wants the complete court and two serves this time.

"I think the next match should have a different setup," she commented.

Before the match, I didn't know I'd have to change my game, which was kind of hard. I would keep the whole court but allow two serves. That would even things out more.

"I always say you learn when you lose, and I learned a lot about how he plays," she added. I’d play him again. I want to win.

The match wasn't much like the well-known Battle of the Sexes game in 1973 between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.

Back then, the women's pro tour, created by King, was just getting started and fighting to be taken seriously, as well as for equal pay. Female players were earning much less than male players.

King, one of the best female players ever and in top condition, beat Riggs, who was 55 years old and a good player in his time, with scores of 6-4, 6-3, and 6-3 in Houston.

The Sabalenka-Kyrgios match was criticised by some, who called it a money grab, while others thought it didn't really do much to support women's tennis.

But Sabalenka feels that exhibition tennis, like the match with Kyrgios, is important.

“I think it’s really important for tennis to stay interesting, fresh, new, and fun,” she said.

She also mentioned she was happy to be a part of the Battle of the Sexes, even though Kyrgios has hardly played recently and is ranked low at 671 in the world.

"I'm happy I could make him work hard and get tired, both physically and mentally," she stated.

It was interesting to see a man get tired and use all his skills. It was a great experience.

The Brisbane International begins on January 4. Sabalenka is aiming to win her third Australian Open title, having won in 2023 and 2024.

Madison Keys defeated her in the Melbourne Park final in 2024.

Stefanos Tsitsipas mentioned on New Year's Day that he seriously thought about quitting tennis because of severe back pain during much of 2025.

The former world No. 3, now ranked 36th after only playing two Davis Cup matches since his second-round exit at the US Open, said that his current treatment seems to be helping.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing how my training goes with my back,” said the 27-year-old as he gets ready to start his 2026 season for Greece at the United Cup in Perth, Australia.

“My main worry was if I could even finish a match,” added the 2023 Australian Open finalist, who said the injury bothered him “for the last six or eight months.”

“I kept asking myself, ‘Can I play another match without pain?’ I got really scared after the US Open, when I lost to Daniel Altmaier. I couldn’t walk for two days. That's when you really start thinking about your career.”

Tsitsipas said that after getting advice from doctors, he’s now happy with his treatment.

“My greatest success for 2026 would be not worrying about finishing matches,” he said, adding that he had five weeks of off-season training without any pain.

“It's great to know I had a pain-free preseason—I hope it stays that way. I want to do well in 2026 and at the United Cup.

“I’ve been working hard. The most important thing is to truly believe that I can get back to where I was. I’ll do everything I can to make that happen.”

Greece is a regular in the four-year history of the United Cup, played in Perth and Sydney. Fellow comeback hopeful Maria Sakkari, also a former world No. 3, is joining Tsitsipas on the team.

“We’re here again, with a good team and a great attitude. We’re ready to fight—we’re Greek. We’re going all out,” Tsitsipas said.

Greece is in a group with Naomi Osaka’s Japan and Emma Raducanu’s Britain.

Osaka is excited to start her season with a tough match against Sakkari, and she’s drawing on her family for motivation.

The 28-year-old, who won the Australian Open in 2019 and 2021, said she’s inspired by her 2½-year-old daughter, Shai, as she starts the new year.

“My daughter is a big motivator; she’s always on my mind. There are so many amazing moms on the tour,” said the four-time Grand Slam champion in Perth on New Year's Day.

Osaka, ranked 16th, ended her 2025 season in mid-October with a leg injury.

Her last match against Sakkari was in 2021. Sakkari, now ranked 52nd, won that quarterfinal in Miami easily.

Osaka said managing her time during the off-season was tricky, but she’s feeling positive now.

“I was able to spend time with my daughter while recovering from a long season, even though I didn’t play the whole time,” said the former world No. 1.

“I’m hoping to play well in my matches. I’m in good shape and excited for the season.”

Osaka was planning to start her season at the ASB Classic in Auckland before the Australian Open on January 18 in Melbourne Park, but she changed her mind.