Critics have questioned Kyrgios’ suitability as a male lead as he admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2021 and made a series of comments deemed misogynistic.
Last year, Kyrgios shared a post from controversial influencer Andrew Tate before later distancing himself from the self-confessed misogynist.
Asked if he understood the criticism given his previous behavior, Kyrgios told BBC Sport: “Of course. But that’s what life is. You make comments when you’re younger and you change.”
The former world number 13 said he is now a “different person”, adding: “I’m not going to sit here and say I’m a great role model, but I’ve grown and I’m definitely more mature now.”
Kyrgios said he “hasn’t thought yet” about the possibility he could become a poster boy for misogynists willing to criticize women’s sport if he beats Sabalenka.
“This is the only thing I’m good at: hitting a ball over a net and giving people a show,” he said.
“So all I can do is hope that me and Aryna play our best tennis and, at the end of the day, whoever wins, that our handshake afterward solidifies the union between men and women in the tennis world.”
Kyrgios, who has been open about his alcohol and drug abuse in the past, says he is not worried about losing face if he is punched by Sabalenka.
“I never worry. I know how I reacted to things in my life,” he said.
“This is all a bonus. I’ve lost tennis matches before, so it’s not really a problem.”
Kyrgios said he sees the event, as well as recent exhibitions in Atlanta and New York alongside Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, as crucial preparation for a fuller return to the ATP Tour in 2026.
A knee injury means he has not played on tour since the Miami Open in March, but he said there are “really positive signs” in his fitness.
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