🔗 Share this article Sabalenka Set to Challenge Kyrgios in Contemporary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will compete at the 17,000-capacity Dubai arena. World number one Aryna Sabalenka is set to challenge Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition event in the United Arab Emirates later this year. Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28. Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open title-holder. Kyrgios, who reached a career-high 13th in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out for 18 months. He has not played 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 said. Historical Context of Gender Showdowns A trio of recognized contests 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 got payback four months later. In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors beat fellow multiple Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then thirty-five, under hybrid rules. "I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the women's game," Sabalenka added. "It's an honor to stand for women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the legendary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match." Kyrgios, who made it to the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, said he will relish the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he shares the same agent. "When the world number one challenges you, you step up to the plate. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a genuine winner," he remarked. "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 Female Athletics? – Analysis Tennis fans have been divided into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September. Certain individuals believe it is a bit of harmless entertainment which will effectively draw the eyeballs of a younger demographic in the age of social-media content. Others believe it is a misguided venture – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for women's sport to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to attacking an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to separate himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why some critics believe this exhibition could provoke gender bias and anti-women sentiment. Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a detrimental effect on women's sports. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and laughed as she pledged to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is difficult, however, to see what she gains 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 ongoing break from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he loves to be in. At this point, specifics about the structure of the match are still scarce – although rules on serves and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been considered.