Aryna Sabalenka Ready to Face Nick Kyrgios in Modern ‘Battle of the Sexes’ Exhibition

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will take on Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition event in the UAE later this year.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and thirty-year-old Aussie Kyrgios – ranked 652nd in the world – are set to compete at the Dubai venue on 28 December.

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

Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th in 2016, has only played five matches this year since returning from a serious wrist injury that sidelined him 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 best performance," Sabalenka said.

Past Background of ‘Battle of the Sexes’

A trio of recognized contests 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 beaten Australia's Margaret Court before King exacted revenge a few months after.

In 1992, a 40-year-old Jimmy Connors overcame 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 done for the women's game," Sabalenka continued. "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 final, expressed 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 great admiration for Aryna; she's a powerhouse and a true champion," he said. "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 Women's Sport? – Analysis

Tennis fans have been divided into two camps since rumblings of this exhibition started at the US Open in September.

Some think it is a fun diversion which will effectively draw the eyeballs of a newer, younger audience in the age of digital media.

Others believe it is a ill-advised project – organized by the Evolve management which the players both share – and sets up an opportunity for female athletics to be undermined if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

The fact that Kyrgios pleaded guilty to assaulting an ex-girlfriend in 2023, then later had to distance himself from divisive figure Andrew Tate in 2024, is a key factor why that camp believe this exhibition could provoke sexism and misogyny.

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 vowed to "defeat Nick convincingly".

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

For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his ongoing break from the tour and firmly in the spotlight which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in.

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