🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Challenge Kyrgios in Modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet at the 17,000-capacity Dubai arena. Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition match in the United Arab Emirates in December. Belarus' Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Dubai venue on December 28. Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open champion. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high 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 losing in the Miami Open second round in March. "I greatly admire Nick and his talent, but make no mistake, I'm ready to bring my A-game," Sabalenka stated. Past Background of Gender Showdowns A trio of recognized contests known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most notably between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. American veteran Riggs had beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback four months later. In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules. "I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," Sabalenka continued. "It's an honor to represent 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, 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 step up to the plate. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a genuine winner," he said. "However I've never shied away from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to thrill the crowd. This is what I thrive on." Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Women's Sport? – Viewpoint Tennis fans have been split into opposing sides since rumblings of this exhibition began at the US Open in September. Certain individuals believe it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will successfully attract the attention of a newer, younger audience in the age of digital media. Others believe it is a ill-advised project – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios admitted to attacking an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to distance himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why that camp believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel 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 "interesting concept" and chuckled as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is hard, however, to see what she benefits from the event – especially if she is defeated to a man who has not been in top form for a considerable period. For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys. 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.