🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Challenge Kyrgios in Contemporary ‘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’ event in the UAE later this year. Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on December 28. Four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open champion. Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out for a year and a half. He has been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting in the Miami Open second round in March. "I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka commented. Past Background of Gender Showdowns A trio of recognized contests labeled as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ have taken place – most famously between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs in 1973. American veteran Riggs had defeated Australia's Margaret Court before King got payback four months later. In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under hybrid rules. "I have so much respect for Billie Jean King and what she has achieved for the female tennis," 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 answer the call. I've got great admiration for Aryna; she's a force and a true champion," 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 thrive on." Fun Spectacle or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Analysis Followers of the sport have been split into opposing sides since rumblings of this exhibition started at the US Open in September. Certain individuals believe it is a fun diversion which will successfully attract 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 sets up an opportunity for women's sport to be undermined 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 divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why that camp 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 "interesting concept" and chuckled as she vowed to "kick Nick's ass". It is hard, 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 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 repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in. At this stage, specifics about the format of the match are still limited – although rules on serves and potential court modifications are believed to have been discussed.