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NOVAK DJOKOVIC OR VICTORY? CHILE WEIGHS ODDS FOR DAVIS CUP QUALIFIERS

Chile faces Serbia in the Davis Cup Qualifiers. Fernando Gonzalez highlights the conflict: absence of Djokovic boosts Chile's win chances, but his presence is a historic treat for fans.

Novak Djokovic or Victory? Chile Weighs Odds for Davis Cup Qualifiers
Djokovic Playing Davis Cup Is Worth the Loss

Chile is set to host Serbia in the Davis Cup Qualifiers from February 6 to 8 next year, just after the Australian Open. Everyone's wondering: will Novak Djokovic play?

Fernando Gonzalez understands the pressure of a home Davis Cup tie; it feels like the nation's hopes are all on that weekend.

Gonzalez sees the situation as both tough and exciting. If Serbia comes without Djokovic, Chile's chances of winning go way up.

Without Djokovic, the match becomes less certain, giving Chile a good shot at winning. In Davis Cup, feelings matter a lot, and not having a 24-time major winner on the other side is huge.

But Gonzalez also sees the other side. He knows how important it would be for Chilean tennis to have Djokovic there, since this might be the only time they ever see him play in their country.

It would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Chilean fans to see a legend play. A sports-loving country would get to see an amazing player right there on the court.

Gonzalez has beaten Djokovic before, back in 2005 and 2006. He's one of the few who have won more games than they lost against Djokovic.

Now, Gonzalez is thinking about something different: balancing Chile's chances of winning with giving its fans a historic experience.

Djokovic probably doesn't want to fly across the world to play on clay right after the Australian Open. But he respects his country a lot, so you never know.

For Chile's tennis future, it's better if Novak doesn't come for the Davis Cup, Gonzalez said. That would give us a better chance to win against Serbia.

Look, Novak is the best player ever, and he is the only active member of the Big 3, with Roger and Rafa retired.

This Davis Cup match is big for our fans, and it would be amazing for all Chileans to see the player with the most major titles playing here.

ARYNA SABALENKA VS KYRGIOS: WTA NO. 1 DEFENDS "BATTLE OF THE SEXES" EXHIBITION MATCH

Aryna Sabalenka hit back at critics, defending her upcoming exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios, stating the unique "Battle of the Sexes" event will grow women's tennis.

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Sabalenka Slams Critics Before Dubai Showdown

Aryna Sabalenka isn't buying the idea that her upcoming exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios will hurt women’s tennis.

The two are set to play on December 28th in Dubai, a match that's stirred up plenty of talk online.

This match is meant to recall the famous 1973 King-Riggs face-off, which drew a huge TV audience and was later called the Battle of the Sexes.

King's win over Riggs was a big step forward for women's tennis.

Since the match was announced, some have said it could take attention away from women's tennis. Sabalenka disagrees.

“I don’t think so,” the WTA world No. 1 told BBC Sport. I'm not risking anything. We're there to have a good time and play some great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.

“It's obvious men are generally stronger, but that's not the point. This event will only help raise the profile of women’s tennis.”

Sabalenka wrapped up 2025 with a US Open title and finished as runner-up at the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

She ended the year as No. 1, way ahead of Iga Swiatek.

Kyrgios is currently ranked No. 672, having played only five matches this year because of a wrist injury.

To level the playing field a bit, Sabalenka's side of the court will be smaller.

Also, both players only get one serve per point in the best-of-three match, with a tiebreak deciding the final set if needed.

“It won’t be easy for Nick,” Sabalenka added. “I’ll be competing hard and showing that women are strong, powerful, and entertaining. He’s in a tough spot. I'm in a good one.”

Kyrgios hasn’t played a pro singles match since Miami and is still dealing with a wrist issue.

He had wrist surgery in September 2023.

He recently played in the Garden Cup exhibition against Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, losing both matches.

“Tennis doesn’t have this kind of buzz often, so when it does, it’s special,” said Kyrgios.

“We are helping tennis grow,” Sabalenka said, responding to critics. It’s fun, it’s a challenge, and I think that’s what people want to see.”

MYSTERIOUS ABSENCE: WHY IS NO. 64 DANIELLE COLLINS SKIPPING THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

American star Danielle Collins, ranked No. 64, is surprisingly absent from the 2026 Australian Open entry list after last year's fan clashes and infamous prize money comments.

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Star Absent from Entry List After Last Year's Fan Feud

Danielle Collins is expected to skip the 2026 Australian Open.

The outspoken American player, nicknamed ‘Danimal,’ had a run-in with Aussie fans at Melbourne Park last January. During her second-round win against local player Destanee Aiava, she told hecklers to shut up.

The 31-year-old also appeared to slap her backside and later joked that she'd spend her $290,000 prize money on a girls' trip to the Bahamas after reaching the third round.

During the match [against Aiava], I thought I might as well take that big fat paycheck, Collins said while being booed in her on-court interview. We love a five-star vacation, so a big part of that will go towards that. So thank you guys; thanks for coming out here and supporting us tonight. Thank you guys, love you.”

Collins seemed to embrace being the villain in her next match against Maddison Keys, but lost in straight sets to the player who eventually won the 2025 Australian Open women’s singles title. She was booed during that game and said fans were taking things too seriously.

The Australian Open entry list came out on Tuesday, and Collins wasn’t on it. The top 104-ranked WTA players automatically qualify for the main draw, and Collins is currently ranked No. 64.

Nine’s Wide World of Sport reports it’s not clear why Collins is skipping the event, and Tennis Australia is also unsure of the reason.

This announcement comes after Collins was eliminated in the first round of the US Open by world No. 39, Jaqueline Cristian. She also didn’t go far in the events leading up to the Grand Slam in Washington, Montreal, and Cincinnati.

However, Collins reached the third round at Wimbledon this year before losing to Iga Swiatek.

Her best result was at the Strasbourg International, where she beat Sofia Kenin, Emma Raducanu, and Anna Kalinskaya to reach the semi-finals before losing to Liudmila Samsonova.

Five Australians are on the entry list for the women’s singles: Maya Joint, Daria Kasatkina, Kimberley Birrell, Emerson Jones, and Ajla Tomljanovic.

Nick Kyrgios, who suggested he was planning an Australian Open comeback, apparently hasn’t been given a wildcard for the men’s singles. James Duckworth, Patrick Kypson (USA), and Yunchaokete Bu (China) all received wildcards. Kyrgios, who will be in the Australian Open's new One Point Slam, might still play in the doubles events.

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