Nick Kyrgios v Aryna Sabalenka live: Battle of the Sexes start time and tennis match updates from controversial tennis exhibition today

“It’s not going to be an easy match for Nick,” Sabalenka said.

“I’m going to be there competing and showing women are strong, powerful and good entertainment.

“He’s in a lose-lose situation. I’m in a win-win situation.”

“I don’t agree [that it will damage women’s sport],” Sabalenka told BBC Sport. “I am not putting myself at any risk. We’re there to have fun and bring great tennis. Whoever wins, wins.

“It’s so obvious that the man is biologically stronger than the woman, but it’s not about that.

“This event is only going to help bring women’s tennis to a higher level.”

Legendary tennis star Billie Jean King says the upcoming ‘Battle of the Sexes’ clash between Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka is ‘just not the same’ as the battle she underwent with Bobby Riggs during the 1970s.

“The only similarity is that one is a boy and one is a girl. That’s it,” the now 82-year-old told BBC Sport.

“Everything else, no. Ours was about social change; culturally, where we were in 1973. This one is not. I hope it’s a great match – I want Sabalenka, obviously, to win – but it’s just not the same.

“Mine was really political. It was rough, culturally, what was coming in with it. I knew I had to beat him for societal change. I had a lot of reasons to win.”

“Getting to know her, she’s definitely a character,” Kyrgios said a few months ago. “I’m super excited for that. I think she’s the type of player who genuinely thinks she’s going to win.

“She [Sabalenka] is not gonna beat me. Do you really think I have to try 100 per cent? I’m gonna try. Because I’m representing the men’s side. I’d say like 6-2 maybe.

“I’m not going to go there and say, ‘Oh, she’s so good, I can’t play this.’ That would make me look so bad. I’d imagine the internet would go crazy — go bananas.

“I mean, our serves, women can’t really return those,” Kyrgios also claimed. “And then we can just chip and drop shot. I think I’m going to be okay. I’m going to go there, and I don’t want her to win. That’s for sure.”

The Australian has struggled with injury and fitness issues over the last three years, with his ranking dropping to 673 in the world, but the 30-year-old is slated in for the ATP 250 event in Brisbane and the Kooyong Classic exhibition in Melbourne, a week prior to the Australian Open.

However, Kyrgios is relying on a wildcard to feature at the first Grand Slam of the season at Melbourne Park, as he no longer has a protected ranking.

The organisers of the event, the Evolve agency which represents both players, confirmed that the side of the court Sabalenka will defend will be nine per cent smaller than standard.

Here’s a rundown on the full set of modified rules for the controversial exhibition:

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