🔗 Share this article Aryna Sabalenka Set to Face Nick Kyrgios in Contemporary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Match Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet at the 17,000-capacity Dubai arena. World number one Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a ‘Battle of the Sexes’ event in the UAE in December. The Belarusian Sabalenka, 27, and 30-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Dubai venue on 28 December. Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open champion. Kyrgios, who peaked at world number 13 in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a serious 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 have a lot of respect for Nick and his skill, but make no mistake, I'm prepared to bring my A-game," Sabalenka stated. Past Context of Gender Showdowns 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 a few months after. In 1992, a forty-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame fellow multi-time Grand Slam champion Martina Navratilova, then 35, under hybrid rules. "I deeply admire Billie Jean King and what she has done for the female tennis," Sabalenka added. "I'm proud to stand for women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the iconic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match." Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon championship match, expressed he will relish the chance to play against Sabalenka, with whom he has the same representative. "Being challenged by the top player, you step up to the plate. I've got massive respect for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a genuine winner," he remarked. "However 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 thrive on." Harmless Entertainment or Damaging to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint Followers of the sport have been split into opposing sides since talk of this exhibition started at the US Open in September. Some think 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 misguided venture – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is defeated by Kyrgios. The fact that Kyrgios admitted to assaulting an former partner in 2023, then later had to separate himself from controversial influencer Andrew Tate in 2024, is a big reason why that camp believe this exhibition could unnecessarily fuel sexism and anti-women sentiment. Sabalenka does not seem to be overly concerned the event will have a detrimental effect on women's sports. Speaking about the possibility at the US Open, she said it was a "cool idea" and laughed as she vowed to "defeat Nick convincingly". It is hard, however, to see what she gains from the event – particularly if she is defeated to a man who has not been in top form for a long time. For Kyrgios, he manages to stay relevant despite his ongoing break from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has consistently shown he loves to be in. At this stage, specifics about the structure of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been considered.