Sabalenka Ready to Take On Nick Kyrgios in Contemporary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Exhibition

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

Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and 30-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are scheduled to play each other at the Dubai venue on 28 December.

Four-time Grand Slam winner 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 kept him out for 18 months.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since losing in the Miami Open early stage in March.

"I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my best performance," Sabalenka stated.

Past Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

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

US legend Riggs had defeated Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback a few months after.

In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under special rules.

"I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has done for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "I'm proud to represent women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version 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 has the same representative.

"When the world number one challenges you, you answer the call. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a genuine winner," he said. "But I've never shied away from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to entertain. This is what I thrive on."

Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Female Athletics? – 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 effectively draw the eyeballs of a newer, younger audience in the age of social-media content.

Others believe it is a ill-advised project – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for women's sport to be undermined if Sabalenka is beaten 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 misogyny.

Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a negative impact 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 benefits from the event – especially if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit 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 enjoys.

At this point, specifics about the structure of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been discussed.