🔗 Share this article

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka will face Nick Kyrgios in a cross-gender exhibition event in the United Arab Emirates in December.

The Belarusian Sabalenka, twenty-seven, and 30-year-old Australian Kyrgios – currently placed 652nd in the world – are set to play each other at the Coca-Cola Arena on 28 December.

Four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka is the current Wimbledon and US Open title-holder.

Kyrgios, who peaked at 13th in 2016, has participated in just five games this year since returning from a significant wrist injury that sidelined him for a year and a half.

He has been absent on the ATP Tour since losing in the Miami Open second round in March.

"I greatly admire Nick and his skill, but rest assured, I'm prepared to bring my best performance," Sabalenka said.

Historical Background 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.

American veteran Riggs had beaten 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 special 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 represent women's tennis and to be part of this contemporary version of the legendary ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match."

Kyrgios, who reached 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 said. "But I've never shied away from a challenge, and I'm not just here to play, I'm here to entertain. This is what I live for."

Harmless Entertainment or Harmful to Female Athletics? – Viewpoint

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

Certain individuals believe 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 – arranged by the Evolve management which the players both share – and creates an opportunity for female athletics to be belittled if Sabalenka is beaten by Kyrgios.

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

Sabalenka does not seem to be too worried the event will have a negative impact on women's sports. Speaking about the idea at the US Open, she said it was a "interesting concept" and chuckled as she pledged to "kick Nick's ass".

It is hard, however, to see what she benefits from the event – particularly if she is defeated to a man who has not been fit for a long time.

For Kyrgios, he remains in the spotlight despite his continued absence from the tour and constantly in the public eye which he has repeatedly demonstrated he loves to be in.

At this point, specifics about the format of the match are still scarce – although serving restrictions and potential court modifications are believed to have been considered.