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Nick Kyrgios has provided an optimistic insight regarding his health ahead of his heavily-publicized 'Battle of the Sexes' showdown against Aryna Sabalenka. The temperamental Aussie has been a rare sight on the men's tour for the past two years after undergoing multiple wrist and knee surgeries.Kyrgios embarked on a comeback this year, though he struggled to match his previous highs in his brief apperance. The last time he stepped on court was for a doubles tie at the Citi DC Open in July. His knee in particular was proving to be troublesome, and he had given up hopes of competing like before.However, in a recent interview with the Australian Associated Press, Kyrgios spoke about his knee feeling better than before after months of agony. A few months ago he wasn't even sure if he'd be ready in time for the Australian Open, his home Slam."Honestly, this has been the first person I've told, I guess, to the media, but the last month for me has been, I don't know what's changed with my knee. Like around that Washington period (in late July), I really didn't have hope to be able to play AO or just ever get back to that point of where I felt comfortable and competing and really letting my body go," Kyrgios said.Kyrgios stated that his knee isn't bothering him like before since the past month, and holds up quite well after a training session. "But something in the last month, I don't know what it is. I was with my masseuse and physio last night and something really has changed with my knee. Like it's not swelling. It's not feeling bad after a session," he added.Kyrgios has a series of exhibitions lined up until the end of the season in order to test the waters ahead of his latest comeback. He will contest a couple of matches in the USA against Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, and will wrap up the year with a showdown with World No. 1 Sabalenka in Dubai.Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka set to revive the Battle of the SexesNick Kyrgios at the Miami Open 2025. (Photo: Getty)It has been over three decades since fans were treated to the last Battle of the Sexes. Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka will reintroduce a new generation of fans to the same with their showdown at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai on December 28, 2025.The previous Battle of the Sexes featured Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova. The two Americans battled it out in September 1992, with Connors having the last laugh. Bobby Riggs competed in the first two editions of the event in 1973, winning the inaugural edition against Margaret Court but losing to Billie Jean King after that.Reaction to Kyrgios and Sabalenka's attempt to revitalize the format has been polarizing. Many opined that the previous matches were done to further the cause of women's sports, while the upcoming contest is nothing but a vanity project for everyone involved. Nevertheless, Kyrgios and Sabalenka have some big shoes to fill given the bar set by their predecessors.
