🔗 Share this article

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the UAE in December.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open champion.

Kyrgios, who reached a career-high 13th in 2016, has participated in just five games this year since recovering from a significant wrist injury that sidelined him for a year and a half.

He has not played on the ATP Tour since losing 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 best performance," Sabalenka commented.

Past Context of Gender Showdowns

Three official matches known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most famously between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973.

US legend 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 multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under special rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the women's game," Sabalenka continued. "It's an honor to stand for women's tennis and to be part of this modern take of the legendary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon final, said he will relish the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent.

"Being challenged by the top player, you step up to the plate. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he remarked. "However I've never backed down from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to entertain. This is what I live for."

Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint

Followers of the sport have been divided into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September.

Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content.

Others believe it is a misguided venture – arranged by the Evolve agency which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to distance himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why that camp 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 possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and chuckled as she vowed to "defeat Nick convincingly".

It is difficult, however, to see what she gains from the event – especially if she loses 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 constantly in the public eye which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in.

At this point, details 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.