🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Face Kyrgios in Modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match The top-ranked female player and the Australian star will compete at the 17,000-capacity Dubai arena. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in the United Arab Emirates later this year. Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to play each other at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28. Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the reigning Wimbledon and US Open title-holder. Kyrgios, who peaked at world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that sidelined him for 18 months. He has been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open early stage in March. "I have a lot of respect for Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka commented. Past Context of Gender Showdowns Three official matches known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have occurred – most famously between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. American veteran Riggs had defeated Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge a few months after. In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules. "I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "I'm proud to stand for women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match." Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, expressed he will enjoy the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he has the same representative. "When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion," he said. "But I've never backed down from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to thrill the crowd. This is what I live for." Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Women's Sport? – Analysis Tennis fans have been divided into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September. Some think it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will successfully attract the eyeballs of a newer, younger audience in the age of social-media content. Others believe it is a ill-advised project – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for women's sport to be undermined if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to distance himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why some critics believe this exhibition could provoke gender bias and anti-women sentiment. Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on female athletics. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and laughed as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is hard, however, to see what she gains from the event – particularly if she is defeated to a man who has not been in top form for a long time. For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his ongoing break from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in. At this stage, specifics about the format of the match are still scarce – although rules on serves and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.