Kyrgios has lengthy been a polarising determine within the sport, given his chequered historical past on and off the court docket.
The Australian has acquired a number of sanctions over the course of his profession for inappropriate behaviour and fiery outbursts.
There have additionally been allegations of home violence and accusations of sexist feedback.
Kyrgios pleaded responsible to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then needed to distance himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024.
His current feedback about enjoying Sabalenka – witheringly questioning on one podcast if he would even should “strive 100%” to win – has led to issues the occasion will gas misogyny.
In a press launch saying the occasion, Kyrgios’ tone was markedly otherwise.
“When the world primary challenges you, you reply the decision. I’ve bought huge respect for Aryna; she’s a powerhouse and a real champion,” he stated.
Sabalenka doesn’t appear to assume the match can have any unfavorable affect on the notion of ladies’s sports activities, merely saying on the US Open she thinks it’s a “cool concept”.
Catherine Whitaker, co-host of the Tennis Podcast, believes the alternative.
“I see completely nothing to be gained for girls’s tennis – I see solely bleakness,” she advised BBC Sport.
“It is a crass business enterprise and a car for some of the outspoken misogynists in tennis who simply needs consideration.
“If Sabalenka wins, she beats a person who’s unfit and has been a complete irrelevance for quite a lot of years. What does she win? Nothing. Until she wins 6-0 6-0, folks will solely discover ammunition to fireplace at girls’s tennis.
“If Kyrgios wins, he and others of the identical thoughts will declare it legitimises every thing he is already spewing out. It is disgusting to be giving him a platform.
“I discover it completely ludicrous that is going to be occurring in 2025.”
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