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World number one Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match in the UAE later this year.

Belarus' Sabalenka, 27, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are scheduled to compete at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 28.

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

Kyrgios, who reached a career-high world number 13 in 2016, has participated in just five games this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that kept him out for 18 months.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since exiting 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 A-game," Sabalenka commented.

Historical Context of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

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

US legend 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 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 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 made it to 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 step up to the plate. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a force and a true champion," he remarked. "But 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."

Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Analysis

Followers of the sport have been split into two camps since talk of this exhibition began at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw the attention of a younger demographic in the age of digital media.

Another group feels it is a misguided venture – 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 pleaded guilty 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 misogyny.

Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned 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 vowed to "defeat Nick convincingly".

It is hard, however, to see what she gains from the event – particularly if she loses to a man who has not been fit for a considerable period.

For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has consistently shown he enjoys.

At this stage, specifics about the format of the match are still scarce – although rules on serves and potential adjustments to the court are believed to have been discussed.